
Ctass 



Book 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSl? 



'«-43-,, 



/ 



Annals 



OF 



Fort 
Mackinac 



DWIGHT H. KELTON, 



CAPTAIN U. S. ARMY 




SMITH EDITION. 




boT)'t you I^ead tf^is ! 



Ey-T 



^-^ ^-" — 1^-,— BUSTU 

BUSTUS 



BUSTUSALL 

IF WE DON'T SELL YOU A COPY OF THE 



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port 
/r\aekinae. 



JUL 151893. 



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PRICE 



DWIGHT H. KELTON, LL. D., X^^r waSH^^ 
Captain u. s. army. 



25c. BY MAIL 30c. 

JOHN W. DAVIS & SON, 

Mackinac Island, Mich., 



iENERAL AGENTS FOR THIS EARTH AND CHICAGO. 



TJEiE 



New Mackinac 

CBuilt upon the site of the " Mackinac House," which 
was bupned in January, 1887.) 

Mackinac Island, - ^iwi™ Mich. 



100 GOOD ROOMS. TEN FIRE ESCAPES. 

HOT AND COLD BATHS. ARTESIAN WELL WATER 

MILK AND BUTTER FROM OUR JERSEY DAIRY. 



This house is well arranged for the comfort of tourists, and is conveniently 

located on the Lake front, and forty feet from the only passenger 

wharf on the Island. The furniture, carpets etc., are all 

"new." The house is equipped with electric bells, 

and modern conveniences. 

21^° SAVE HACK HIRE TO AND FROM YOUR HOTEL ..^ 
FRED. R. EMERICK, PROPRIETOR AND MANAGER. 



This hotel was built for the special comfort of summer boarders. 

On arrival each guest will be asked how he likes the situation, and if he says the Hotel 
ought to have been placed upon Fort Holmes or on Round Island, the location of the Hotel 
will be immediately changed. 

Corner front rooms, up one flight, for every guest. Baths, gas, electricity, hot and 
cold water, laundry, telegraph, re.-taurant, fire alarm, bar-room, billiard table, sewing 
machine, piano, and all modern conveniences in every room. Meals everj' minute, and 
consequently no second table. 

Every guest will have the best peat in the dining hall. 

Our clerk was specially educated for the "New Mackinac,'' he- wears the original 
Koh i-noor diamond, and is prepared to please everybody. He is always ready to sing, 
match worsted, take a hand at draw-poker, play billiards, sharpen your pencil, take you 
out rowing, lead the german, amuse the children, make a fourth at whist, or flirt with any 
young lady, and will not mind being cut dead when Pa comes down. He will attend to the 
telephone and answer all questions in Choctaw, Chinese, Chippewa, Volapuk, or any other 
of the Court languages of Europe. 

The proprietor will always be happy to hear that some other hotel is "the best in the 
couutry.'' Special attention given to parties who give information as to "how these 
things are done in Chicago." 

P. s.— Our clerk spent six weeks in the month of June at the World's Fair in Chicago, 
and is up to date in describing what he did not see. 



u 



INDIAN NAMES OF 
^^^ PLACES NEAR THE 



By mail, 350. 



GREAT LAKES," 



NEXT TO THE 



"ANNALS O F FORT MACKINAC" 

This is the Best Selling Book of this Century. 

ST. IGNACE REPUBLICAN 

p. D. BISSELL, Editor. 

St. Ignace, Mackinac Co., Mich. 



PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY. 






$S.oo— A YEAR— $S 00 




FAIRY ARCH. 



ANNALS 



OF 



Fort Mackinac 



BY 



DWIGHT H. KELTON, LL.D., 



CAPTAIN U. S. ARMY. 



AUTHOR OF INDIAN NAMES OF PLACES NEAR THE GREAT LAKES. 

AUTHOR OF INDIAN NAMES AND HISTORY OF THE SAULT STE. MARIE CANAL. 

CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE WISCONSIN STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE MINNESOTA STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE KANSAS STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE CHICAGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

MEMBER OF THE VERMONT STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 




"^i^rtY 



SMITH ED ITION 

1893. 



K- 






Copyright, 1882, by Dwight H. Kelton. 

Copyright, 1883, by DwiGHT H. Kelton. 

Copyright, 1884, by Dwight H. Kelton. 

Copyright, 1886, by Dwight H. Kelton. 

Copyright, 1887, by Dwight H. Kelton. 

Copyright, 1888, by Dwight H. Kelton. 

Copyright, 1889, by Dwight H. Kelton. 

Copyright, 1890, by Dwight H. Kelton. 

Copyright, 1891, by Dwight H. Kelton. 

Copyright, 1892, by Dwight H. Kelton. 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1893, by 

DWIGHT H. KELTON, 
in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 



.7/'^ 



printed by 
Detroit Free Press Printing Co. 



Beauteous Isle ! I sing of thee, 

Mackinac, my Mackinac; 
Thy lake-bound shores I love to see, 
Mackinac, my Mackinac. 
From Arch Rock's height and shelving steep 
To western cliffs and Lover's Leap, 
Where memories of the lost one sleep, 
Mackinac, my Mackinac. 

Thy northern shore trod British foe, 

Mackinac, my Mackinac: 
That day saw gallant Holmes laid low, 
Mackinac, my Mackinac. 
Now Freedom's flag above thee waves, 
And guards the rest of fallen braves, 
Their requiem sung by Huron's waves, 
Mackinac, ray Mackinac. 




Arch Rock, Mackinac Island. 



GREETING. 



For courtesies received I am under obligations to: 

Major Edwin M. Coates, U. S. A., Commodore David 
Carter, Major Joseph Richardson, Col. Frank J. Bram- 
HALL, Hon. Benoni Lachance, John D. Davis, Esq., and 
P. D. BissELL, Esq. 

This edition is named in honor of Charles Warren 
Smith, of Chicago, Illinois, 



/()7>v^tiX^^, 



QUINCY, MICHIGAN 

JULY, 1893. 



From Vol. I of Kelton's '^ Indian Names 
of Places Near the Great Lakes." 

Chicago. (111.) Zhikagong, the locative case of zhikago, 
**a skunk," also used as a personal nan e. 

Early French writers mention a chief named Chicagou, 
who lived near the site of the present city. According to 
tradition, Chicagou was drowned in the river. 

Whatever may have been the occasion for applying that 
name to the locality, there can be no question about the ety- 
mology of the word. Algic proper names are very commonly 
derived from the name of animals by the addition of o. 
Thus Z/iikago^ is zhikag used as a man's name ; and zhikag^ 
or zhigag, is the Mephitis Americana^ or "skunk." The 
English term " skunk," itself is a corruption of the Abenaki 
form of the word, which is, sikango. 

Some have sought to lend dignity to the term, by tracing 
in its first syllable, the second syllable of kichiy "great." 
This is plainly inconsistent with the Indian pronunciation of 
the name. 

The origin of the word, however undignified, is plain : 
zhig^ is the Latin m.ingei'e ; and kag^ or gag^ though now 
restricted to the porcupine species, was originally any horrid 
little beast ; hence zhi-kag^ is equal to heatiola foeda mingens. 

Others have had recourse to zhigagawazh " wild garlic ;" 
but this does not help matters, for the ugly root zhig^ is still 
there, followed by -agawazh^ " a plant ;" hence planta v/ri- 

nam redolens. 



CONTENTS. 



PAGH 

Ancient Michilimakinac, . . . . . . . .119 

Ancient Names of Rivers and Lakes, 121 

American Fur Company, 51 

American Officers, ......... 26 

Battle on Mackinac Island, in 1814, 175 

British Officers, 136 

Capture of Fort Mackinac, in 1812 167 

Collectors of Customs 48 

Conspiracy of Pontiac, 163 

County Clerks, 49 

Early Michigan, 139 

Fort Mackinac, 20 

French Officers, 136 

Governors of Michigan, . 142 

Historical Events, chronologically arranged, . . . .144 

Indian Agents, ......... 48 

Legend of Arch Rock, 67 

Legend of the Giant Fairies 77 

Legend of Lover's Leap, 61 

Legend of Mackinac Island ....... 71 

Legend of Mishini-Makinak, 83 

Legend of Robertson's Folly, 57 

Light Houses, 50 

Mackinac Island, 15 

National Park, . . . . . . . . .41 

Postmasters, .......... 49 

Priests, 45 

Probate Court, Judges, 48 

Presidents of the Village, , , . . . . . .49 

Summer Residences, 189 



"tThitney's 
I'oint 



MICHIGAN. 

Entered according to Act of Consrress in 188* by 
1). H. Kklton. ' 

Scale, 2 inches to 1 Mile. 




MACKINAC ISLAND. 15 



Mackinac Island. 



Latitude ^5° 51' JSTorth. 

Lonyiiude 5^° S6' West of Greenwich. 



This island is situated in the Straits of Mackinac, about 
four miles east 'of the narrowest part; fifteen miles from 
Lake Huron and thirty from Lake Michigan ; it contains 
2,221 acres, of which 911 are in tlie National Park, 106 are 
in the Military Reservation, and 1,207 are private claims. 



The stratums of limestone which form the base of 
Mackinac Island, are identical with the lower division of 
the Helderberg series, while the stratums which form the 
upper portion of the island contain a good many fossils 
characteristic of the Upper Helderberg system, though but 
few of them are well preserved. 

The rocks on the island give undeniable evidences of the 
former prevalence of tlie water, to the height of 250 feet or 
more above the present level of the surrounding waters, 
though it is not intended to allege that the water of the 
lakes, as such, has ever stood at the level of the summit of 
Pyramid Rock ; nor do we speak upon the question whether 



16 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 

the changes have been caused by the subsidence of the lakes, 
or the uplift of the island. 

The Arched and Pyramid rocks owe their shape and posi- 
tion to the denuding action of the waters, which during the 
drift period swept away the softer and disintegrating 
material, which surrounded these harder and more com- 
pact brecciated limestones. 



The mean surface of the water in the Straits of Mackinac 
is 581 feet above the mean tide at New York. There is a 
variation of about five feet in the height of the water in 
the Straits. 

The greatest depth of water on the bar between Mackinac 
and Round islands is 40 feet; on the bar between Round 
and Bois Blanc islands, 16 feet; between Bois Blanc island 
and the main-land of the southern peninsula, 84 feet ; 
between Mackinac Island and St. Ignace, 210 feet. 

The greatest depth of water in the Straits is at a point 
about midway between St. Ignace and Mackinaw City, 
where it is 252 feet deep. 



The following are the principal fishes which are found 
in what may be termed, Mackinac waters: 

Burbot, — Lota maculosa; Fresh -Water Drum, — Hap- 
loidonotus grunniens; Great Lake Catfish, — Ictalurua 
nigricans; Lake Herring, — Coregonus artedi; Lake Stur- 
geon, — Acijyenser ruhicundus; Lake Trout, — Salvelinus 
namaycush; Lake White-Fish, — Coregonus clupeiformis ; 
Moon-Eye, — Hyodon tergisus; Muskellunge, — Esox nohiJr 



MACKINAC ISLAND. 17 

ior I Pike, — Esox lucius i Rock Bass, — Arnbloplites 
rupestris ; Sun Fish, — Lepomis gihhosus ; Wall-Eyed 
Pike, — Stizostedion vitreurnj White Bass, — Roccus chry- 
sops; Yellow Perch, — Ferca americana. 

Several of the above have different local names. 



Of the shell-bearing animals, specimens of three general 
groups only are found on the Island ; viz., land snails ; fresh- 
water snails ; and fresh- water mussels. 



The average temperature of the waters in the Straits 
during the months of June, July, August and September, 
is 56, 63, 64 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively. 



The yearly average of the Maximum and the Minimum 
temperatures for the different months is as follows: 

January, 39, —16 ; February, 42, —19 ; March, 45, —13 ; 
April, 68, 9; May, 78, 30; June, 80, 40; July, 85, 47; 
August, 86, 44; September, 81, 37; October, 73, 25; Nov- 
ember, 62, 14 ; December, 47, 3 ; in degrees, Fahrenheit. 



The average total precipitation for a year, — including 
melted snow, — is 28 inches. 

The average rainfall for the months of June, July, 
August and September, is 2.20; 2.79; 2.31 and 2.12 inches, 
respectively. 



18 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 

Tlie thickness of the ice bridge which is formed across 
the Straits in winter, varies with the winter seasons; how- 
ever, in a very cold winter, ice is formed to the thickness 
of about four feet. 



The following is the height in feet, of the places speci- 
fied, above tlie mean surface of the water in the Straits : 

Fort Mackinac— parade ground 133 

Fort Mackinac— highest gun platform 161 

Fort Holmes— the platform 336 

Top of the Pyramid Rock 285 

Top of the Chimney Rock 13 5 

Robertson's Folly 12 8 

Highest point of the Arch Rock 15 

Top of the Arch 14 

Buttress facing the lake at Arch Rock 1 1 

Top of the Lover's Leap 14 5 

Lower Plateau of the Island 150 

Upper Plateau of the Island 295 



20 ANNALS OF FORI' MACKINAC. 



Fort Mackinac. 

There are various ways of reaching the Fort from the 
village ; probably the best is " up the steps," the view at 
the top being well worth the breath it costs. 

Now follow us, and we will show you through the Fort. 

The old block-house on our left was built in 1Y80-S2, by 
the British troops ; for several years after they were built 
the block-houses were used as barracks for the troops, each of 
the three stories having been provided with an open fire- 
place; beyond, to the left, are two buildings, officers' quar- 
ters, built in 1876; passing along toward the flag-staff, we 
come to another set of officers' quarters, built in 1835, and 
another old block-house, the upper story of which contains a 
wooden tank, into which water is pumped from a spring at 
the foot of the bluff, and distributed through pipes into 
various buildings. This innovation on the water-wagon was 
made in accordance with a plan devised by, and executed 
under the direction of Lieut. Dwight H. Kelton, U. S. A.; 
water was first pumped October 11, 1881. 

While reinforcing the flag-staff in 1869, a bottle was taken 
out of the base, containing a parchment upon which was 
written : 



FORT MACKINAC. 21 

Headquarteks Fort Mackinac, 

May 25th, 1835. 

This flag staff erected on the 25th day of May, 1835, by "A" aud "G" 
Companies, of the 3d Regiment of Infantry, stationed at this post. 
The following Officers of the 2d Infantry were present: 

Captain John Clitz, . . . "A" Company, Com'd'g Post. 

Captain E. Kerby Barnum, . "G" Company. 

1st- Lieut. J. J. B. Kingsbury, . "G" Company. 

2d-Lieut. J. W. Penrose, . **G" Company, A.C.S. 

2d-Lieut. J. V. Bomford, . . "H" Company, 

Asst.-Surgeon Geo. F. Turner, U.S.A. 

David Jones,. , . . Sutler. 

Absent Officers: 

Ist-Lieut. J. S. Gallagher, "A" Company, Adjutant. 

2d-Lieut. J. H. Leavenworth, "A" Company, on Special Duty. 

Colonel Hugh Brady, Bvt.-Brig. General, Commanding Left Wing, 
Eastern Department, Headquarters at Detroit. 

Lieut. -Colonel Alexander Cummings, Commanding 2d Regiment, 
Headquarters Madison Barracks, Sacket's Harbor. New York. 

President of the United States, Andrew Jackson. 

Builder (of flag-staff), John McCraith, Private, "A" Company, 
2d Infantry. 

Going down the steps to the right, we are brought face to 
face with one of the historical landmarks of this country, 
the building in which this book was written, the old stone 
officers-quarters, built in 1781-2, with walls from two and a 
half to eiglit feet thick ; formerly the windows had iron 
bars across them. In 1812, the basement of this building 
and the old block-houses were used as prisons, in which 
Captain Eoberts detained the men and larger boys of the 
village, after the capture of the Fort, until he decided what 



22 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAO. 

to do with them. Those who took the oath of allegiance 
to Great Britain w^ere released and allowed to return to 
their homes ; the others were sent to Detroit. Mr. Michael 
Dousman was permitted to remain neutral and was not dis- 
turbed. In 1814, the basement of this building and the block- 
houses were used as a place of refuge for the women and 
children of the village, while the vessels containing the 
American troops were anchored off the island. 

The old wooden building on our right, now used as a 
storehouse, was built for a hospital in 1828, on the site of 
the original hospital built by the British, and it is said to be 
nightly haunted by the noisy and visible ghosts of some 
Indians who were in early days the victims of the inquiring 
mind and deadly knife of a morbidly ambitious surgeon. 

The long, low wooden building at the other end of the 
stone-quarters, formerly officers' quarters, is now used as a 
storehouse; facing it are the barracks, a two-story frame- 
building, built in 1859, occupied by two companies of 
soldiers, one on each floor, with mess-rooms, etc., complete 
for each. 

We come next to the guard-house, built in 1828 ; beyond 
is the south sally-port, in which the old gates still remain in 
place. Turning toward the north sally-port, on our right, 
there was in early days a well more than one hundred feet 
in depth, which furnished an abundance of good water for 
the uses of the garrison ; the first building on our right is 
the office and storehouse of the commissary of subsistence, 
built in 1877, on the site of the old stone powder-magazine ; 
the first office in the small building adjacent is that of the 
commanding officer and the adjutant, and adjoining it is the 
office of the quartermaster, which is connected by a covered 
passage-way with the storehouse beyond, built on the site of 
the post-bakery of earlier days; the building beyond is a 



FORT MACKINAC. 23 

bath-house, built in 1885, on the site of the old sutler's store. 

Going up the path from the guard-house we will examine 
the "reveille gun," and take a glimpse at the magnificenfe 
view from the gun-platform. Below, at the foot of the 
bluff, are the government stables, blacksmith shop, and gran- 
ary ; beyond tliem the company gardens, where the build- 
ings of the Indian agency stood in earlier days. 

In front of us is Round Island, where, for a long time, 
there was a large Indian village, the only remnant of which 
is an Indian burying-ground, on the southeastern part of the 
island. There is also an old burying-ground on Bois Blanc 
Island. It is a singular fact that all these Indian graves were 
dug due east and west. 

Wauchusco, a celebrated spiritualist of the Ottawa tribe, 
lived on Round Island for several years previous to his death, 
which occurred September 30, 1837. 

To the left of Round Island is Bois Blanc Island. 

The building in our rear is the hospital, built in 18.58; 
leaving it to our right, we pass another old block-house, and 
over the old north sally-port, just outside of which, on July 
17th, 1812, the British troops stood in line and presented 
arms while Lieuts. Porter Hanks and Archibald Darragh 
marched the American troops out, with arms reversed, to 
receive their parole as prisoners of war. 

Passing on we come to the library, built in 1879. 

When built, the fort was enclosed by a stockade ten feet 
high, made of cedar pickets, into the tops of which were 
driven irons with three sharp prongs projecting. Formerly 
all the buildings belonging to the fort were within this 
stockade. 

A better idea of the block-houses as they appeared then, 
and of the stockade, may be obtained from the illustrations, 
which are reduced from old drawings. 



24 ANNALS OF FOKT MACKINAC. 

The flags of three great nations have successively floated 
over the post at Michiliinackinac, which has been the theatre 
of many a bloody tragedy. Its possession has been disputed 
by powerful nations, and its internal peace has continually 
been made the sport of Indian treachery and white man's 
duplicity. To-day, chanting te deums beneath the ample 
folds of the fleur-de-lis^ to-morrow yielding to the power of 
the British lion, and a few years later, listening to the ex- 
ultant screams of tlie American eagle, as the stars and 
stripes float over the battlements on the "Isle of the dancing 
spirits." The historical reminiscences rendering it classic 
ground, and the many wild traditions, peopling each rock 
and glen with spectral habitants, combine to throw around 
Mackinac an interest and attractiveness unequalled by any 
other place on the Western Continent. 




View of Fort Mackinac from the Southwest. 



26 



ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 



United States Army. 



The following is a complete list of the commissioned offi- 
cers of the United States Army who have been stationed 
at Fort Mackinac. The year of their arrival at the Fort and 
their actual rank at that time are given. 



1796. 


Henry Burbeck, 


Major, 


Artillerists and Eng'rs. 


(< 


Abner Prior, 


Captain, 


1st Infantry. 


«< 


Ebenezer Massay, 


Lieutenant, 


Artillerists and Eng'rs. 


<( 


John Michael, 


(< 


1st Infantry. 


1800. 


Richard Whiley, 


1st Lieutenant. 


Artillerists and Eng'rs. 


1802. 


Thomas Hunt, 


Major, 


1st 


« 


Josiah Dunham, 


Captain, 


Artillerists and Eng'rs. 


«« 


Francis Le Barron, 


Surgeon's Mate, 




1804. 


Jacob Kingsbury, 


Lieut. -Colonel, 


1st Infantry. 


1807. 


Jonathan Eastman, 


1st Lieutenant, 


Artillerists. 


1808. 


Lewis Howard,* 


Captain 


<< 


** 


Porter Hanks, 


1st Lieutenant, 


<< 


(« 


Archibald Darragh, 


2d " 


«c 


1810. 


Sylvester Day, 


Garrison Surgeon's Mate. 


1815. 


Anthony Butler, 


Colonel, 


2d Rifles. 


(« 


Willoughby Morgan, 


Captain, 


Riflemen, 


n 


Talbot Chambers, 


Major, 


" 


** 


Joseph Kean, 


Captain, 


«< 


It 


John O'Fallon, 


" 


*t 


tt 


John Heddelson, 


1st Lieutenant 


It 


1* 


James S. Gray, 


2d 


« 


(< 


"William Armstrong, 


2d 


tt 


«< 


William Hening, 


Surgeon's Mate. 




«< 


Benjamin K. Pierce, 


Captain, 


Artillery. 


«< 


Robert McClallan, Jr., 


1st Lieutenant, 


tt 


«< 


Lewis Morgan, 


1st 


.« 



• Died at Fort Mackinac, January 13, 1811. 



UNITED STATES ARMY. 



27 



1815. 


George S. Wilkins, 


• 2d Lieutenant, 


Artillery, 


*« 


John S. Pierce, 


2d 


«« 


«< 


Thomas J. Baird, 


3d 


(« 


1816. 


John Miller, 


Colonel, 


3d Infantry^ 


<< 


John McNeU. 


Major, 


5th " 


<« 


Charles Gratiot, 


<( 


Engineers. 


«« 


William Whistler, 


Captain, 


3d Infantry, 


(( 


John Greene, 


" 


3d 


«< 


Daniel Curtis, 


1st Lieutenant, 


3d 


i« 


John Garland, 


1st 


3d 


« 


Turby F. Thomas, 


1st 


3d 


<« 


Henry Conway, Jr., 


1st 


3d 


<* 


James Dean, 


2d 


3d 


«< 


Andrew Lewis, 


2d 


3d 


<« 


Asher Phillips, 


Paymaster, 


3d 


«< 


Edward Purcell, 


Hospital Surgeon's Mate. 


1817. 


Albion T. Crow, 


a i< 


<« 


« 


William S. Eveleth, 


2d Lieutenant, 


Engineers. 


1818. 


Edward Brooks, 


ist 


3d Infantry. 


" 


Joseph P. Russell, 


Post Surgeon. 




1819. 


Joseph Gleason,* 


1st Lieutenant, 


oth Infantry. 


<< 


William Lawrence, 


Lieut. -Colonel, 


2d 


« 


William S. Comstock, 


Surgeon's Mate 


,3d 


(« 


Peter T. January, 


2d Lieutenant, 


3d ^ " 


<( 


John Peacock, 


2d 


3d 


1821. 


William Beaumont, 


Post Surgeon. 




(• 


Thomas C. Legate, 


Captain, 


2d Artillery, 


«< 


Elijah Lyon, 


1st Lieutenant, 


3d 


<« 


James A. Chambers, 


2d 


2d 


«< 


Joshua Barney, 


2d 


2d 


1822. 


James M. Spencer, 


1st 


2d 


1823. 


Alexander C. W. Fanning, Captain. 


2d 


(< 


William Whistler, 


(( 


3d Infantry. 


«« 


Samuel W. Hunt, 


1st Lieutenant, 


3d 


«< 


Aaron H. Wright, 


2d 


3d '* 


«< 


George H. Crosman, 


2d 


6th " 


•• 


Stewart Cowan. 


2d 


3d 



♦ Died at Fort Mackinac, March 27, 182a 



28 



ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 



1825. 



1826. 



1827. 



1830. 
1831. 



1833. 



William Hoffman, 
Richard S. Satterlee, 
Carlos A. Wait, 
Seth Johnson, 
David Brooks, 
Alexander R. Thompson, 
James G. Allen, 
Edwin James, 
Ephraim K. Barnum, 
Edwin y. Sumner, 
Samuel T. Heintzelman, 
Charles F. Morton, 
Sullivan Burbank, 
Robert A. McCabe, 
William Alexander, 
Abner R. Hetzel, 
Josiah H. Vose, 
James Engle, 
Amos Foster, 
Enos Cutler, 
Moses E. Merrill, 
Ephraim Kirby Smith, 
Isaac Lynde, 
Caleb C. Sibley, 
William E. Cruger, 
Louis T. Jamison, 
Henry Clark. 
John T. Collingsworth, 
Robert McMillan, 
George M. Brooks, 
WaddyV. Cobbs, 
Joseph S. Gallagher, 
George W. Patten, 
Thomas Stockton, 
Alexander R. Thompson, 
John B. F. Russell, 
William Whistler, 
Ephraim K. Barnum, 



Captain, 


2d Lif antry. 


Assist. Surgeon 






2d Lieutenant, 


2d Lif antry. 


1st 


2d 


<( 


2d 


2d 


(< 


Captain, 


2d 


<< 


2d Lieutenant, 


5th 


It 


Assist. Surgeon 






1st Lieutenant, 


2d Infantry. 


2d 


2d 


" 


2d 


2d 


(( 


1st 


2d 


'• 


Captain, 


5th 


(( 


" 


5th 


«< 


1st Lieutenant, 


5th 


<t 


2d 


2d 


<( 


Major, 


5th 


(< 


2d Lieutenant, 


5th 


<( 


2d 


5th 


(< 


Lieut. -Colonel, 


3d 


i< 


2d Lieutenant, 


5th 


'« 


2d 


5th 


«< 


2d 


5tli 


<< 


2d 


5th 


(( 


1st 


5th 


(( 


2d 


5th 


" 


1st 


5th 


" 


2d 


5th 


" 


Assist. Surgeon, Medical Department. 


Colonel, 


5th Infantry. 


Captain, 


2d 




1st Lieutenant, 


2d 




2d 


2d 




Bvt. 2d Lieut., 


5th 




Major, 


6th 




Captain, 


5th 




Major, 


2d 




Captain, 


2d 





UNITED STATES ARMY. 



29 



1833. 


Joseph R. Smith, 


1st Lieutenant, 


2d 


«( 


James W. Penrose, 


2d 


2d 


(( 


Charles S. Frailey, 


Assist. Surgeon 


Medical Department. 


<« 


George F. Turner 


(( 


«« it 


1834. 


Jesse H. Leavenworth/ 


2d Lieutenant, 


2d Infantry. 


•• 


John Clitz,* 


Captain, 


2d 


1835. 


James V. Bomford, 


2d Lieutenant, 


2d 


«' 


Julius J. B. Kingsbury, 


1st 


2d 


<( 


Marsena R. Patrick, 


Bvt. 2d Lieut. 


2d 


1836. 


Erastus B. Wolcott, 


Assist. Surgeon, Medical Department. 


• < 


James "W. Anderson, 


2d Lieutenant, 


2d Infantry. 


1839. 


Samuel McKenzie, 


Captain, 


2d Artillery. 


«< 


Arnold E. Jones, 


2d Lieutenant, 


2d 


1840. 


Harvey Brown, 


Captain, 


4th " 


<( 


John W. Phelps, 


1st Lieutenant, 


4th " 


<< 


John C. Pemberton, 


2d 


4th " 


1841. 


Henry Holt, 


Assist. Surgeon 


, Medical Department. 


*< 


Patrick H. Gait, 


Captain, 


4th Artillery. 


<< 


George C. Thomas, 


1st Lieutenant, 


4th 


«« 


George W. Getty, 


2d 


4th 


(« 


Alexander Johnston, 


Captain, 


5th Infantry. 


(« 


William Chapman, 


1st Lieutenant, 


5th 


<f 


Spencer Norvell, 


2d 


5th 


« 


Henry Whiting, 


2d 


5th 


i« 


John M. Jones, 


Bvt. 2d Lieut. 


5th 


1842. 


Rev. John O'Brien, 


Chaplain. 




(( 


Martin Scott, 


Captain, 


5th 


1843. 


Levi H. Holden, 


Assist. Surgeon 


, Medical Department. 


<( 


Moses E. Merrill, 


Captain, 


5th Infantry. 


«< 


William Root, 


1st Lieutenant, 


5th " 


«< 


John C. Robinson, 


2d 


5th 


1844. 


John Byrne, 


Assist. Surgeon 


, Medical Department. 


1845. 


Charles C. Keeney, 


H <( 


<( <( 


(< 


George C. Westcott, 


2d Lieutenant, 


2d Infantry. 


•< 


Silas Casey, 


Captain, 


2d 


« 


Joseph P. Smith, 


Bvt. 2d Lieut., 


5th '• 


«< 


Fred Steele, 


<( (( 


5th •• 



* Died at Fort Mackinac, November 7, 183ft. 



30 


ANNALS i 


3F FORT MACKINAC. 


1847. 


Frazey M. AVinans, 


Captain, 


15th Infantry. 


(< 


Michael P. Doyle. 


2d Lieutenant, 


15th " 


(« 


Morgan L. Gage, 


Captain, 


1st Mich. Vols. 


<< 


Caleb F. Davis, 


2d Lieutenant, 


1st 


«< 


William F. Chittenden, 


2d 


1st 


1848. 


William N. R. Beall, 


Bvt. 2d Lieut., 


4th Infantry. 


'* 


Charles H. Larnard , 


Captain, 


4th 


<> 


Hiram Dryer, 


2d Lieutenant, 


4th 


1849. 


Joseph B. Brown, 


Assist. Surgeon, 


, Medical Department. 


" 


Joseph L. Tidball, 


Bvt. 2d Lieut., 


4th Infantry. 


1850 


Charles H. Laub, 


Assist. Surgeon, Medical Department. 


1851. 


David A. Russell, 


1st Lieutenant, 


4th Infantry. 


1852. 


Thomas Williams, 


Captain, 


4th Artillery. 


(( 


George W. Rains, 


1st Lieutenant, 


4th 


*( 


Jacob Culbertson, 


2d 


4th 


" 


Joseph H. Bailey, 


Captain, 


Medical Department. 


1854. 


Joseph B. Brown, 


Assist. Surgeon, 


<( << 


1855. 


John H. Greland, 


1st Lieutenant, 


4th Artillery. 


1856. 


Edward F. Bagley, 


2d 


4th 


<< 


William R. Terrill, 


1st 


4th 


" 


Joseph H. Wheelock, 


1st 


4th 


" 


John Byrne, 


Assist. Surgeon, Medical Department. 


1837. 


Arnold Elzey, 


Captain, 


2d Artillery. 


" 


Henry Benson, 


1st Lieutenant, 


2d 


" 


Guilford D. Bailey, 


2d 


2d 


1858. 


Henry C. Pratt, 


Captain, 


2d 


" 


Henry A. Smalley, 


2d Lieutenant. 


2d 


(< 


John F. Head, 


Captain, 


Medical Department 


1859. 


William A. Hammond, 


" 


.< 


" 


George L. Hartsuff , 


1st Lieutenant, 


2d Artillery. 


1862. 


Grover S. Wormer, 


Captain, Stanton Guards, Mich. Vols. 


" 


Elias F. Sutton, 


1st Lieutenant 


" 


" 


Louis Hartm^yer, 


2d 


H (( 


" 


James Knox, 


Chaplain, 


Mich. Vols. 


(( 


Charles W. Le Boutillier, 


, .As.sist. Surgeon, 


, 1st Minn. Inf'y Vols. 


1866. 


Jerry N. Hill. * 


Captain, 


" Vet. Res. Corps. 


" 


Washington L. Wood, 


2d Lieutenant, 


(( (< 


1867. 


John ^litchell. 


Captain, 


43d Infantry. 



UNITED STATES ARMY. 



31 



1867. 


Edwin C. Gaskill. 


1st Lieutenant, 


43d Infantry. 


" 


Julius Stommell, 


2d 


43d 


<« 


1869. 


Leslie Smith, 


Captain, 


1st 


(« 


« 


John Leonard, 


1st Lieutenant, 


1st 


(( 


tt 


Matthew Markland, 


2d 


1st 


<< 


1870. 


Samuel S. Jessop. 


Captain, 


Medical Department. 


1871. 


Thomas Sharp, 


1st Lieutenant, 


1st Infantry. 


1872. 


"William M. Notson, 


Captain, 


Medical Department, 


1873. 


Carlos Carvallo, 


" 


" 


<( 


1874. 


Charles J. Dickey, 


(( 


22d Infantry. 


(( 


John McA. Webster, 


2d Lieutenant, 


22d 


" 


(< 


J. Victor De Hanne, 


Captain, 


Medical Department. 


1875. 


Alfred L. Hough, 


Major, 


23d Infantry. 


1876. 


Joseph Bush, 


Captain, 


23d 




** 


Thomas H. Fisher, 


1st Lieutenant, 


23d 




i* 


Fieldmg L. Davies, 


2d 


23d 




1877. 


Charles A. Webb, 


Captain, 


33d 




•• 


John G. Ballance, 


2d Lieutenant, 


33d 




tt 


Theodore Mosher, Jr., 


2d 


33d 




1* 


Peter Moffat, 


Captain, 


Medical Department. 


1878. 


Oscar D. Ladley, 


1st Lieutenant, 


23d 


Infantry. 


1879. 


Edwin E. Sellers,* 


Captain, 


10th 




t* 


Charles L. Davis, 


<( 


10th 




t* 


Dwight H. Kelton, 


1st Lieutenant, 


10th 




« 


Walter T. Duggan, 


1st 


10th 




« 


Bogardus Eldridge, 


2d 


10th 




« 


Edward H. Plummer, 


2d 


10th 




«< 


George W. Adair, 


Captain, 


Medical Department. 


1882. 


William H. Corbusier, 


•' . 


<( 


'• 


1883. 


John Adams Perry, 


2d Lieutenant, 


10th 


Infantry. 


1884. 


George K. Brady, 


Captain, 


23d 




«( 


Greenleaf A. Goodale, 


" 


23d 




« 


Edward B. Pratt, 


1st Lieutenant, 


23d 




<( 


Calvin D. Cowles, 


1st 


23d 




<( 


J. Rozier Clagett, 


1st 


23d 




«i 


Stephen O'Connor, 


2d 


23d 




(« 


Benjamin C. Morse, 


2d 


33d 


« 




♦ Died at Fort Mackinac, April 8 


,1884. 





32 



ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 



1886. 


William C. Manning, 


Captain, 


23d Infantry. 


(( 


George B . Davis, 


2d Lieutenant, 


23d " 


1887. 


Charles E. Woodruff, 


1st 


Medical Department. 


1889. 


Harlan E. McVay, 


1st 


<< (< 


1890. 


Jacob H. Smith, 


Captain, 


19th Infantry. 




Charles T. Witherell, 


" 


19th 




Edmund D.Smith, 


1st Lieutenant, 


19th 




Zebulon B. Vance, Jr., 


2d 


19th 




Woodbridge Geary, 


2d 


19th 




Henry G. Learnard, 


2d 


19th 




Edwin M. Coates, 


Major, 


19th 


1891. 


Alexander McC. Guard 


, Captain, 


19th 


" 


Joseph Frazier, 


2d Lieutenant, 


• 19th 


1892. 


Edwin F. Gardner, 


Captain, 


Medical Department 


1893. 


John Howard, 


2d Lieutenant, 


19th Infantry. 




THE "GBIPFON." 

The First Vessel on the Upper Lakes. 
Built by LaSalle, 1679. 




" "WALK-IN-THE-"WATEB." 

First Steamboat on the Upper Lakes. Built in 1818. 
At Mackinac in 1819. 




^^mm: 



INDIAN NAME. 87 



Indian Name. 



•*Te say, they all have passed away. 

That noble race and brave, 
That their light canoes have vanished 

From off the crested wave; 
That 'mid the forests where they roamed 

There rings no hunter's shout; 
But their name is on your waters. 

Ye may not wash them out." 



In the Chippewa or Ojibwa language, the name of 
Mackinac Island, is Mishinimdkina or Mishinimagina j 
in the locative case, Mishinimakinang, "at the great 
uplifted bow," "at the great hanging arch." Mishir, 
"great," "grand;" mm-, nima-, "lifting up," "holding 
suspended at the top of something;" {e. g.y nimakonige, 
" he carries something on a stick ; " nimashkaigan, " a 
tuft," "a plume," "a bayonet;" Cree nimaslcwsin, "he 
is raised above the ground ; " nimashwew^ " he carries his 
weapons;" nimahwew^ "he raises his hand against him;") 
wagina^ Cree wahina, (from wah, wag-, "bent," and a 
substantive ending;) "a semi-circle," "a piece of wood 
bent in the form of a bow," "rib of a canoe," "ground 
timber of a vessel. The initial w is dropped, as is usual 
in compounds {e, g.^ gimahi, "he looks stealthily;" waba- 
higan, "clay;" missahenjakon, "tree-moss;" instead of 
girmoabi, wdbwahigan^ and missdbeiijwakon). 



do ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 

The gesture for nim-^ is the outstretched arm and 
hand, with the palm downward. 

The greatest natural curiosity on Mackinac Island is 
the "arch rock." It would, then, be rather an excep- 
tional case, if the Indian name-givers, with their keen 
sense of the beautiful, and admiration for the extraordi- 
nary in nature, had not seized upon this feature of the 
island, to distinguish it from all other localities known to 
them. Still, the meaning of the term is utterly unknown 
to the Indians of the present day. The whites, too, have 
invariably failed in analyzing and explaining the word; 
chiefly, perhaps, in consequence of the faulty division, — 
Michili Makinao^ or Michilli Mackinaw^ — introduced 
by French and English writers, — and the greater hardness 
with which the h is now generally pronounced, in that 
name. 



Criticism of jpojpular interpretations, 

1. Big Turtle. This rendering would agree well 
with an Indian legend, according to which the Island of 
Mackinac, a Manitou, in the shape of an immense turtle, 
rose from the depths of the lake in the sight of the 
wondering natives, and was finally changed into its pres- 
ent form. Moreover, it is said that Menabosho, the 
maker of a new worlds was born on the Island of Mack- 
inac. If, then, its name signified "big turtle," this Indian 
legend would furnish an interesting counterpart to the 
well-known concept of Asiatic cosmogony, according to 
which the world rests on a giant turtle. That the idea 
is not quite foreign to the Indian mind, appears from the 
legends of the Lendpe and other tribes. 

Etymologically, however, there is little in favor of this 



IJiDIAN NAME. 39 

interpretation. "Big turtle" would be mishimihinah, in 
the locative case, mishimikinakong ; while the name of 
the island is rnishinhnakiiia, in the locative mishinimaki- 
nang. The syllable ni must be accounted for. There 
are, it is true, words in which ni is affixed to mishi- ^ 
but this changes its meaning from "large" to "many,'* 
as, e. g.^ in inishinogade^ "it has many feet;" mishinoni' 
kaso, "he has many names;" misldnad^ "there is much 
of it." This is the chief difficulty, though even the 
change from mikinak to makina should not be admitted 
without pressing necessity. 

2. Island of the Giant Fairies. In a certain 
eense, this interpretation may be accepted. The Ojibwa 
and Ottawa speak of a race of people who are never 
seen, though occasionally heard firing guns in the woods, 
— a sort of Indian fairies ; and these, — whether giants 
or dwarfs, no one knows, — they call Mishinimakinagog 
(the plural of MisMnimakinagd). But this name is evi- 
dently derived from M ishinimakina (as Winihigo from 
Winibi), and simply means "Mishinimakina people;" thus 
leaving the term in question etymologically unexplained. 

Historically, a tribe or clan named after the island, 
existed until some time after the arrival of the French 
upon the Great Lakes; and the few who were still living 
at that period, asserted that they counted thirty towns, 
and that they had all enclosed themselves in a fort meas- 
uring one and one-half leagues in circumference, when 
the Iroquois came to defeat them, elated as they were by 
a victory they had gained over three thousand men of 
the tribe (of Mishinimakina) who had carried the war 
into the very country of the Mohawks. The name of 



40 ANNALS OF FoRT MACKINAC. 

this boastful clan would, then, after their extinction, seem 
to have passed into that of Indian forest fairies. 

An Ojibwa translation of "Island of the Giant Fairies" 
would be Windigd?ninlss or Mindbeminiss. 

3. Island of the Dancing Fairies. This 
explanation apparently rests on the presence of the syl- 
lable mm, in the name of the island. Mishi-^ "great;" 
nimi, " he dances ; " ahi^ " land ; " hence mishinimaJct, 
or rather mis/ihiimiwahi {mishinimiidiwaki would be 
still better), "great dancing land." This appears plausible 
euough, at first sight, but it will not bear a closer exam- 
ination. 

The first suspicious circumstance is the absence of any 
tradition as to the fact (apparently implied in this et}^- 
mology) that the island once served as a meeting place 
for Indian dancers. Next, there is no instance of the 
word aki^ "land," being used, instead of miniss, in com- 
pounding the name of an island. Finally, the superfluous 
ending -na^ is not accounted for. 



"Ye say, their cone-Hke cabins. 

That clustered o'er the v.ale, 
Have fled away like withered leaves 

Before the autumn gale; 
But their memory liveth on your hilU 

Their baptism on your shore. 
Your everlasting rivers speak 

Their dialect of yore." 



ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC, 41 



NATIONAL PAKK— ISLAND OF MxVCKINAC. 

On March 11th, 1873, Hon. T. W. Ferry, Senator from 
Michigan, introduced in the Senate the following : 

Resolved, That so much of the Island of Mackinac, lying in the Straits 
of Mackinac, within the County of Mackinac, in the State of Michigan, 
as is now held by the United States under military reservation or other- 
wise (excepting the Fort Mackinac and so much of the present reservation 
thereof as bounds it to the south of the village of Mackinac, and to the 
west, north and east respectively by lines drawn north and south, east 
and west, at a distance from the piesent fort flag-staff of four liundred 
yards), hereby is reserved and withdrawn from settlement, occupancy, 
or sale under the laws of the United States, and dedicated and set apart 
as a National public park, or grounds, for health, comfort and pleasure, 
for the benefit and enjoyment of the people; and all persons who shall 
locate or settle upon or occupy the same, or any part thereof, except as 
herein provided, shall be considered trespassers, and removed therefrom. 

That said public park shall be under the exclusive control of the Sec* 
retary of War, whose duty it shall be, as soon as practicable, to make 
and publish such rules and regulations as he may deem necessary or 
proper for the care and management of the same. Such regulations 
shall provide for the preservation from injury or spoliation of all timber, 
mineral deposits, natural curiosities, or wonders within said park, and 
their retention in their natural condition. The Secretary may, in his 
discretion, grant leases, for building purposes, of small parcels of ground, 
at such places in said park as shall require the erection of buildings for 
the accommodation of visitors, for terms not exceeding ten years; all of 
the proceeds of said leases, and all other revenues derived from any 
source connected with said park, to be expended under his direction, in 
the management of the same and in the construction of roads and bridle- 
paths therein. He shall provide against the wanton destruction of game 
or fish found within said park, and against their capture or destruction 
for any purposes of use or profit. He also shall cause all persons tres- 
passing upon the same, after the passage of this act, to be removed there- 
from, and generally shall be authorized to take all such measures as shall 



42 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 

be necessary or proper to fully carry out the objects and purposes of this 
act. 

That any part of the park hereby created shall at all times be available 
for military purposes, either as a parade or drill ground, in time of peace, 
or for complete occupation in time of war, or whenever war is expected, 
and may also be used for the erection of any public buildings or works: 
Provided, That no person shall ever claim or receive of the United States 
any damage on account of any future amendment or repeal of this act, 
or the taking of said park, or any part thereof, for public purposes or use. 

Senator Ferry did not forget his work or neglect his oppor- 
tunities, and on March 3d, 1875, after a two years' struggle, 
he finally procured the passage of the Act for the Mackinac 
National Park. His regard for this spot — his birthplace and 
boyhood home — led him to advocate his park bill at all times 
and places, until his fellow-members dubbed it " Ferry's 
Park." 



The following are the approved Rules and Regulations for 
the Park at Mackinac : 

I. Mackinac Park will be under the immediate control and manage- 
ment of the commanding-officer of Fort Mackinac, who is charged with 
the duty of preserving order, protecting the public property therein, and 
enforcing these rules. 

II. All tenants renting under the Act of Congress providing therefor 
must conform to, and abide by, such rules and regulations as are pre- 
scribed for the care of the park, and will be held responsible for a com- 
pliance with the same on the part of the members of their families, their 
agents and employes. 

III. The sale of wines and malt or spirituous liquors on the park, 
without special authority from the commanding-officer of Fort Mackinac, 
or higher military authority, is prohibited. 

IV. No person shall put cattle, swine, horses or other animals on the 
park, except as follows: 

The cows belonging to the residents of the Island of Mackinac may be 
placed in a herd, under the care of a herder, and be permitted to graze in 



NATIONAL PARK. 43 

•uch parts of the park as may be designated by the commanding-oflficer 
of Fort Mackinac. 

V. Racing or riding and driving at great speed is prohibited. 

VI. No person shall indulge in any threatening, abusive, insulting or 
indecent language in the park. 

VII. No person shall commit any obscene or indecent act in the park. 

VIII. No frays, quarrels, or disorders of any kind will be permitted 
in the park. 

IX No person shall carry or discharge fire-arms in the park. 

X. No person shall injure or deface the trees, shrubs, turf, natural 
curiosities, or any of the buildings, fences, bridges or other structures 
within the park. 

XL No person shall injure, deface or destroy any notices, rules or 
regulations for the government of the park, posted, or in any other mani 
ner permanently fixed, by order or permission of the authorities of the 
park. 

XII. No person shall wantonly destroy any game or fish within the 
park, nor capture nor destroy the same for any purposes of use or profit 

XIII. Any person who shall violate any of these Rules and Regula- 
tions shall be ejected from the park by military authority, and in case 
the person so offending shall have committed any offence in violation of 
any of the statutes of the United States, or of the State of Michigan, 
the offender shall be proceeded against before the United States or State 
courts, according to the laws providing for the same. 

XIV. The commanding-officer of Fort Mackinac may, at any time, 
add to or modify these Rules, subject to the approval of the Secretary of 
War. 

When the Park was surveyed, lots were set apart for build- 
ing purposes in the following places: on the bluff near 
" Robertson's Folly ; " on the bluff on the northwest side of 
the island, and on the bluff extending from the old Indian 
burying-ground along by " Pontiac's Lookout." 

The price of the leases for Park lots has been fixed at ten, 
fifteen and twenty-five dollars per year, according to the 
location. 



44 



ANNALS OF FOKT MACKINAC. 



S^ - ' ^""- 




Stone Officers' Quarters, Built 1782. 



PRIESTS. 45 



PRIESTS. 



The following Priests of the Roman Catholic Church have 
served at Michilimackinac : 

The dates opposite their names indicate the first and last 
year of their stay ; or, as the case may be, of their visits ; 
for many of them made only occasional visits, having other 
parishes, or missions, in their charge. Their names are 
marked thus *. 

The first church on the main land, north of the Strait, 
was built in 1671 ; the second about 1674 ; burnt in 1706. 

The present church was built in 1838. 

The first church on the main land, south of the Strait, was 
built about 1712, when the post was re-established; the 
second, about 1741. 

The first church on the island was erected in 1780. It 
occupied a part of the old cemetery on Astor street. The 
second was erected in 1827, on the site of the present one, 
on land donated by Mrs. Magdalene Laframboise. 

The present building was erected in 1873. 

Beneath the altar are the graves of Mrs. Magdalene 
Laframboise, her only daughter, and grandson, Langdon 
Pierce (wife and son of Capt. Benjamin K. Pierce, U. S. A.). 
On the marble slabs over their graves are the following 
inscriptions : 

••Magdalene Lapbamboisb, died April 14th, 1846, aged 66 years." 
•• Josephine Pierce, died November 24th, 18-20." 

In " Ancient Michilimackinac " (St. Ignace). 

1670. Rev. Father Dablon, S. J. (or possibly Marquette.) 

1671-73. Rev. Father James Marquette, S. J. 
1673 (?) Rev. Father Philip Pierson, S. J. 



46 



ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAO. 



1674 (?) Rev. Father Henry Nouvel. S. J. 

1677 (?) Rev. Father J. Enjahan, S. J. 

1680-81. Rev. Father Louis Hennepin, Franciscan.* 

16?? (?) Rev. Father De Carheil, S. J. 

16??-1706. Rev. Father J. Marest, S. J. 



In " Old Mackinac " (Lower Michigan). 

1708 (?) Rev. Father J. Marest, S. J. 

1741-52. Rev. Father J. B. Lamoriuie, S. J.* 

1741-65. Rev. Father Du Jaunay, S, J. 

1742-44. Rev. Father C. G. Coquarz, S. J.* 

1753-61. Rev. Father M. L. Lefranc, S. J. 

1768-75. Rev. Father Gibault, Vic. -Gen. of Illinois.* 



On the Island and in Modern St. Ignace. 

1786-87. Rev. Father Payet, of Illinois.* 

1794. Rev. Father Ledru, Dominican, of France.* 

1796. Rev. Father Levadoux, of Detroit, Vic. -Gen. of the Bishop 

of Baltimore.* 
1799-1823. Rev. Father G. Richard, Curate of St. Ann, Detroit, and 

Vicar-General.* 
1801. Rev. Father J. Dilhet.* 
1816-18. Rev. Father Joseph Crevier, of Canada.* 
1825-27. Rev. Father Francis Vincent Badin of St. Joseph's.* 
1827-30. Rev. P. J. De Jean, of Little Traverse Bay.* 
1839-31. Rt. Rev. Edward Fen wick, Bishop of Cincinnati.* 
1830. Rev. Father Mallon, of Cincinnati. 

1830-83. Rev. Father Samuel Mazzuchelli, Dominican. 
1830-88. Rev. Father Frederic Rese, Vic. -Gen. of Cincinnati, Bishop 

of Detroit, 1834.* 
1881-65. Rev. Father Frederic Baraga, of Little Traverse Baj. 

Afterwards (1853-68) Bishop of Sault Ste. Marie and 

Marquette.* 
1833. Rev. Father J. Lostrie. 

1833-34. Rev. Father Francis Hatscher, Redemptcrist. 
1838-43. Rev. Father Santi Santelli. 



PRIESTS. 



47 



1834-38. Rev. Father F. J. Bonduel. 

1843-45. Rev. Father C. Skolla, Franciscan. 

1845. Rev. Father H. Van Renterghem. 

1845-52. Rt. Rev. P. Lefevre, Bishop of Detroit.* 

1846-74. Rev. Father A. D. Piret, retired to " Chenaux," 1870. 

1852. Rev. Father Francis Pierz, of Little Traverse Bay.* 

1854-57. Rev. Father E. L. M. Jahan. 

1858-61. Rev. Father Patrick B. Murray. 

1861-67. Rev. Father Henry L. Thiele (two terms). 

1868. Rev. Father Charles Magne. 

1868-71. Rev. Father Matthias Orth. 

1869-70. Rev. Father Philip S. Zorn, of Grand Traverse Bay.* 

1870-71. Rev. Father Nicolas L. Sifferath, of Cross Village.* 

1871. Rev. Father Charles Vary, S. J., of Sault Ste. Marie.* 

1871-79. Rt. Rev. Ignatius Mrak, Bishop of Marquette.* 

1871-72. Rev. Father L. B. Lebouc. 

1872-73. Rev. Father Moses Mainville. 

1873-80. Rev. Father Edward Jacker. 

1875-78. Rev. Father William Dwyer. 

1878-79. Rev. Father John Braun. 

1879-81. Rev. Father John C. Kenny. 

1880-81. Rev. Father C. A. Richard. 

1880-83. Rt. Rev. John Vertin, Bishop of Marquette.* 

1881. Rev. Father Bonaventure Frey, Prov. Cap. Order.* 

1881-83. Rev. Father Kilian Haas, O. M. Cap. 

1881-82. Rev. Father Isidore Handtmann, O. M. Cap. 

1883-85. Rev. Father John Chebul. 

1883. Rev, Father Joseph Niebling. 

1883-84. Rev. Father P. G. Tobin. 

1884-87. Rev. Father William Dwyer. 

1 <^85-86. Rev. Father Francis Xav. Becker. 



48 



ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 



COLLECTOES OF CUSTOMS, AT MACKINAC. 



1801-6 


David Duncan. 


1843-49 


1806-10 


George Hoffman. 


1849-53 


1810 


Harris H. Hickman. 


1853-55 


1810-15 


Samuel Abbott. 


1855-61 


1815-16 


William Gamble. 


1861-67 


1816-18 


John Rogers. 


1867-71 


1818-33 


Adam D. Stewart. 


1871- 


1833-43 


Abraham Wendell. 





Samuel K. Harinq. 
Charles E. Avery. 
Alexander Toll. 
Jacob A. T. Wendell. 
John W. McMath. 
S. Henry Lasley. 
James Lasley. 



INDIAN AGENTS. 





Agents for Mackinac and 


Vicinity: 


1816-24 


Wm. H. Puthufp. 


1861-65 


D. C. Leach. 


1824-33 


George Boyd. 


1865-69 


Richard M. Smith. 


1833-41 


Henry R. Schoolcraft. 


1869 


Wm. H. Brockway. 


1841-45 


Robert Stuart. 


1869-71 


James W. Long. 


1845-49 


Wm. a. Richmond. 


1871 


Richard M. Smith. 


1849-51 


Chas p. Babcock. 


1871-76 


George I. Betts. 


1851-53 


Rev. Wm. Spragub. 


1876-82 


George W. Lee. 


1853-57 


Henry C. Gilbert. 


1882-85 


Edward P. Allen. 


1857-61 


Andrew M. Fitch, 


1885- 


Mark W. Stevens. 



MACKINAC COUNTY, PROBATE COURT JUDGES, 



1823-25 


William H. Puthufp. 


1860-65 


1825-29 


Jonathan N Bailey. 


1865 


1829-33 


B. Hoffman. 


1866-73 


1833-40 


Michael Dousman. 


1873-77 


1840-44 


Bela Chapman. 


1877-79 


1844-48 


William Johnson. 


1879-81 


184^-53 


Bela Chapman. 


1881-85 


1853-60 


Jonathan P. King. 


1885- 



Bela Chapman. 
Alexander Toll. 
Bela Chapman. 
George C. Ketchum. 
George T. Wendell. 
Benoni Lachancb. 
Thomas Chambers. 
Peter N. Packard. 



VILLAGE OFFICERS. 



49 



MACKINAC VILLAGE, PKESIDENTS. 

Wardens or Presidents of the Borough or Village of Mackinac, since iU 
incorporation in 1817: 



1817-21 

1833 

1833 

1834-35 

1836 

1837-30 

1881 

1833-43 

1844 

1845 

1845 

1846 

1848 



Wm. H. Puthtjfp. 1849 

George Boyd. 1850-55 

Wm. H. Pothufp. 1856 

Michael Dousman. 1861 

Jonathan N. Bailey. 1873 

Samuel Abbott. 1873 

Edward Biddlb. 1875 

Samuel Abbott. 1875-76 

Edward Biddle. 1877-81 

Samuel Abbott. 1883 

Abraham Wendell. 1883-84 

Bel A Chapman. 1885 

Augustus Todd. 1886- 



Bela Chapman. 
Augustus Todd. 
Jonathan P. King. 
John B. Couchois. 
John Becker. 
Wm. Madison. 
Dr. John R. Bailey. 
Edwin C. Gaskill. 
Wm. p. Preston. 
Horace A. N. Todd. 
Wm. p. Preston. 
William Sullivan. 
Wm. B. Preston. 



POSTMASTEKS. 



Postmasters at Mackinac since the estahlishment of the Post Office in 1819: 
The Office was known as Michilimackinac, until 1825. 



1819-23 Adam D. Stewart. 



1861-66 James Lasley. 



1832-35 


John W. Mason. 


1866-67 


JoHN Becker. 


1835-39 


Jonathan N. Bailey.* 


1867-77 


James Lasley. 


1839-49 


Jonathan P. King. 


1877-80 


George C. Ketchum. 


1849-53 


James H. Cook. 


1880-85 


James Lasley. 


1853-59 


Jonathan P. King. 


1885- 


James Gallagher. 


1859-61 


John Biddle. 







* First Postmaster at Chicago. Appointed March 31st, lasi. 

The first post-offlce on this side of the Atlantic was established by 
Gov. Lovelace, at New York, in 1673. 



MACKINAC CQUNTY, CLERKS. 

Clerks of the County from its organization in 1818: 



1818-31 


Thomas Lyon. 


1855-58 


JoHN Becker. 


1833-34 


F. HiNCHMAN. 


1859-63 


Wm. M. Johnston. 


1835-46 


Jonathan P. King. 


1864 


Charles O'Malley. 


1847-53 


P. C. Kevan. 


1865-86 


John Bfddle. 


1853-54 


Wm. M. Johnston. 


1886- 


Michael Hoban. 









S 5 



^ lO lO 



:g :« :? ;g ^ :?! :^ 

«g o> »o « » r-i eo 




AMERICAN FUR COMPANY. 51 



THE AMERICAN FUK COMPANY. 

To notice slightly the origin of the American Fur Com 
pany, we will say that John Jacob Astor, a German by birth, 
who arrived in New York in the year 1784, commenced 
work for a bakery owned by a German acquaintance. lie 
was afterwards assisted to open a toy shop, and this was fol- 
lowed by trafficking for small parcels of furs in the country 
towns, and which led to his future operations in that line. 

Mr. Aster's great and continued success in that branch of 
trade induced him, in 1809, to obtain from the New York 
Legislature a charter incorporating "The American Fur 
Company," with a capital of a million dollars. It is under- 
stood that Mr. Astor comprised the company, though other 
names were used in its organization. In 1811, Mr. Astor, 
in connection with certain partners of the old Northwest 
Fur Company (whose beginning was in 1783, and perma- 
nently organized in 1787), bought out the association of 
British merchants known as the Mackinac Company, then a 
strong competitor in the fur trade. This Mackinac Com- 
pany, with the American Fur Company, was merged into a 
new association called the Southwest Fur Company. But in 
1815, Mr. Astor bought out the Southwest Company, and the 
American Fur Company came again to the front. In the 
winter of 1815-16, Congress, through the influence of Mr. 
Astor, it is understood, passed an act excluding foreigners 
from participating in the Indian trade. In 1817-18, the 
American Fur Company brought a large number of clerks 
from Montreal and the United States to Mackinac, some of 
whom made good Indian traders, while many others failed 
npon trial and were discharged. Among those who proved 
their capability was Gurdon S. Hubbard, Esq., then a youth 



52 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 

of sixteen, later, one of the early settlers of Chicago. He 
was born in Windsor, Yt., in 1802, his parents were Elizur 
and Abigail (Sage) Hubbard. His paternal "emigrant" 
ancestor was George Hubbard, who was at Wethersfield, Ct., 
in 1636. Mr. Hubbard was also a lineal descendant of the 
clergyman-governor Gurdon Saltonstall (named for Bramp- 
ton Gurdon, the patriot M. P., whose daughter was the grand- 
mother of the governor), who was the great-gi-andson of Sir 
Richard Saltonstall, a firm and efficient friend of early New 
England. 

Mr. Hubbard left Montreal, where his parents then lived, 
May 13, 1818, reaching Mackinac July 4th, and arrived at 
Chicago on the first day of November of that year. In 1828, 
he purchased of the Fur Company their entire interest in 
the trade of Illinois. Mr. Hubbard died at his home in 
Chicago, September 14, 1886. 

Having entire charge of the management of the company in the West, 
wore Ramsey Crooks and Robert Stuart. To William Matthews was 
intrusted the engaging of voyageurs and clerks in Canada, with his head- 
quarters in Montreal. The voyageurs he took from the habitants (farmers) ; 
young, active, athletic men were sought for, indeed, none but such were 
engaged, and they passed under inspection of a surgeon. Mr. M. also 
purchased at Montreal such goods as were suited for the trade, to load his 
boats. These boats were the Canadian batteaux, principally used in those 
days in transferring goods to upper St. Lawrence River and its tributaries, 
manned by four oarsmen and a steersman, capacity about six tons. The 
voyageurs and clerks were under indentures for a term of five years. 
Wages of voyageurs, $100, clerks from $120 to $500 per annum. These 
were all novices in the business; the plan of the company was to arrange 
and secure the services of old traders and their voyageurs, who, at the 
(new) organization of the company were in the Indian country, depending 
on their influence and knowledge of the trade with the Indians ; and as 
fast as possible secure the vast trade in the West and Northwest, within 
the district of the United States, interspersing the novices brought from 
Canada so as to consolidate, extend and monopolize, as far as possible, 
over the country, the Indian trade. The first two years they had sue- 



AMERICAN FUR COMPANY. 



53 



ceeded iu bringing into their employ seven-eighths of the old Indian 
traders on the Upper Mississippi, Wabash and Illinois Rivers, Lakes 
Michigan and Superior, and their tributaries as far north as the bound- 
aries of the United States extended. The other eighth tliought that their 
interest was to remain independent; toward such, the company selected 
their best traders, and located them in opposition, with instructions so to 
manage by underselling to bring them to terms. 




Block House Built In 1780. 



At Mackinac, the trader's brigades were organized, the company select- 
ing the most, capable trader to be the manager of his particular brigade, 
which consisted of from five to twenty batteaux, laden with goods. This 
chief or manager, when reaching the country allotted to him, made 
detachments, locating trading-houses, with districts clearly defined, for 
the operations of that particular post, and so on, until his ground was fully 
occupied by traders under him, over whom he had absolute authority. 

We will here allude to Mr. Astor's attempt to establish an 
American emporium for the fur trade at the mouth of the 



54' ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 

Columbia Eiver, which enterprise failed, through the capture 
of Astoria bj the British in 1814, and the neglect of our 
government to give him protection. The withdrawal of Mr. 
Astor from the Pacific coast, left the Northwest Fur Com- 
pany to consider themselves the lords of the country. They 
did not long enjoy the field unmolested, however. A fierce 
competition ensued between them and their old rivals, the 
Hudson's Bay Company, which was carried on at great cost 
and sacrifice, and, occasionally, with the loss of life. It 
ended in the ruin of most of the partners of the Northwest 
Company, and merging of the relics of that establishment, 
in 1821, in the rival association. 

Ramsey Crooks was a foremost man in the employ of Mr. Astor in the 
fur trade, not only in the east, but upon the western coast, and has been 
called " the adventurous Rocky Mountain trader." Intimately connected, 
as Mr. Crooks was, with the American Fur Company, a slight notice of 
him will not he out of place. Mr. Crooks was a native of Greenock, 
Scotland, and was employed as a trader in Wisconsin, as early as 1806. 
He entered the service of Mr. Astor in 1809. In 1813, he returned from 
his three years' journey to the western coast, and in 1817 he joined Mr. 
Astor as a partner, and for four or five years ensuing he was the company's 
Mackinac agent, though residing mostly in New York. Mr. Crooks con- 
tinued a partner until 1830, when this connection was dissolved and he 
resumed his place with Mr. Astor in his former capacity. In 1834, Mr. 
Astor, being advanced in years, sold out the stock of the company, and 
transferred the charter to Ramsey Crooks and his associates, whereupon 
Mr. C. was elected president of the company. Reverses, however, com- 
pelled an assignment in 1843, and with it the death of the American Fur 
Company. In 1845, Mr. Crooks opened a commission house for the sale 
of furs and skins, in New York City. This business, which was success- 
ful, Mr. C. continued until his death. Mr. Crooks died in New York, 
June 6, 1859, in his 73d year. Mr. Astor died in 1848. 

Washington Irving, in his *' Astoria," gives a graphic 
account of the occasional meetings of the partners, agents 
and employes of the old Northwest Fur Company, at Mont- 



AMERICAN FUR COMPANY. 



55 



real and Fort William, where tliey kept high days and nights 
of wassail and feasting ; of song and tales of adventure and 
hair-breadth escapes. But of those lavish and merry halls 
of the old "Northwest," we need suggest no comparison 
witli the agency dwelling of the American Fur Company at 
Mackinac, where the expenses charged for the year 1821 
were only $678.49. In that account, liowever, we notice the 
following entries : "31i gallons Teneriffe Wine, 4^ gallons 
Port Wine ; 10 gallons best Madeira ; 70^ gallons lied 
Wine; 9 gallons Brandy; and one harrel ofjiouvP 




LEGEND OF "ROBERTSON'S FOLLY." 



Captain Robertson was a gaj young English officer and 
a great admirer of the ladies. One pleasant summer even- 
ing, as he was strolling in the woods at the back of the fort 
enjoying his pipe, he suddenly beheld, a few rods before 
him and just crossing his path, a female of most exquisite 
form, feature and complexion ; she seemed about nineteen ; 
was simply dressed ; wore her long black hair in flowing 
tresses ; and as for a moment she turned on him her lustrous 
black eyes, her whole countenance lighting up with anima- 
tion, the gallant captain thought he had never before seen 
80 beautiful a creature. He politely doffed his cap and 
quickened his steps, hoping to engage her in conversation. 
She likewise hastened, evidently with the design of escaping 
him. Presently she disappeared around a curve in the road, 
and Robertson lost sight of her. 

At the oflicers' quarters that night nothing was talked of 
but the young lady and her possible identity. She was 
clearly not a native, and no vessel had been known to touch 
at the island for many a week. Who could she be ? Cap- 
tain Robertson could hardly sleep that night. A rigid 
inquiry was instituted in the village. The only effect was 
to engender as intense curiosity in the town as already 
existed among the garrison. 

As the shades of evening drew near, the captain was again 
walking in the pleasant groves enjoying the delightful lake 
breezes and the whiff of his favorite pipe. He was think- 
ing of last evening's apparition, and blaming himself for 
not pressing on more vigorously, or at least calling to the 

[57] 



68 . ANKALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 

fair spectre. At this moment, raising his ejes from the 
ground, tliere she was again, slowly preceding him at a dis- 
tance of scarcely more than thirty yards. As soon as his 
astonishment would permit, and as speedily as he could 
frame an excuse, he called to her : " Mademoiselle, I — I beg 
your pardon." 

She turned on him one glance, her face radiant with smiles, 
then redoubled her pace. The captain redoubled his, and 
soon broke into a run. Still she kept the interval between 
them undiminished. A bend of the road, and again she was 
gone. The captain sought her quickly, but in vain ; he then 
rushed back to the fort and called out a general posse of 
officers and men to scour the island, and, by capturing the 
maiden to solve the mystery. Though the search was kept 
up till a late hour in the night, not a trace could be found 
of her. The captain now began to be laughed at, and jokes 
were freely bandied at his expense. 

Two days passed away, and the fantasy of Captain Robert- 
son began to be forgotten by his brother officers, but the 
captain himself maintained a gloomy, thoughtful mood — the 
truth is he was in love with the woman he had only twice 
seen, and who he felt assured was somewhere secreted on 
the island. Plans for her discovery revolved in his brain 
day and night, and visions of romance and happiness were 
ever ffitting before his eyes. It was on the evening of the 
second day that he was irresistibly led to walk again in the 
shady path in which the apparition had twice appeared to him. 
It led to the brow of the precipice at the southeastern corner 
of the island. lie had nearly reached the famous point 
from which we now look down perpendicularly 128 feet into 
the placid waters of Lake Huron, when, sitting on a large 
stone, apparently enjoying the magnificent scene spread out 
before her, he discovered the object of his solicitude. Escape 
from him was nu\v impossible, silently he stole up to her. 



Robertson's folly. 69 

A cnmcliing of the gravel under his feet, however, disturbed 
her, and turning, her eyes met his. 

" Pretty maiden, why thus attempt to ehide me ? "Who 
are you ? " There was no answer, but the lady arose from 
the rock and retreated nearer tlie brink of the precipice, at 
the same time glancing to the right and left, as if seeking a 
loop-hole of escape. 

" Do not fear me,'' said the captain, " I am commander of 
the gari'ison at the fort here. No harm shall come to you, 
bat do pray tell me who you are, and how you came on this 
island !" 

The lady still maintained a stolid silence, but in the fading 
liglit looked more beautiful than ever. She was now stand- 
ing within three feet of the brink with her back to the 
terrible abyss. The captain shuddered at the thought of her 
makmg an unguarded step and being dashed to pieces on 
the rocks below. So he tried to calm her fears lest, in her 
agitation, she might precipitate a terrible catastrophe. 

" My dear young lady," he began, " I see you fear me, 
and 1 will leave you ; but for heaven's sake do pray tell me 
your name and where you reside. Not a hair of your head 
shall be harmed, but Captain Eobertson, your devoted ser- 
vant, will go through fire and water to do your commands. 
Once more, my dear girl, do speak to me, if but a word 
before we part." 

As the captain warmed up in his address, he incautiously 
advanced a step. The girl retreated another step, and now 
stood where the slightest loss of balance must prove her 
death. 

Quick as thought, the captain sprang forward to seize her 
and avert so terrible a tragedy, but just as he clutched her 
arm, she threw herself backward into the chasm, drawing 
her tormentor and would-be savior with her, and both were 
instantly dashed on to the rocks below. 



60 



ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 



His mangled remains were found at the foot of the preci- 
pice, but, singular as it may seem, not a vestige could be 
found of the woman for whose life his own had been sacri- 
ficed. His body alone could be discovered and it was taken 
up and buried in a shady nook near the middle of the island. 
He was long mourned by his men and brother officers, for 
he was much beloved for his high social qualities and genial 
deportment ; but by and by it began to be whispered that 
the captain had indulged too freely in the fine old French 
brandy that the fur traders brought up from Montreal, and 
that the lady he professed to see was a mere ignis faiuus of 
his own excited imagination. But the mantle of charity 
has been thrown over the tragedy, and a commonplace 
explanation given for the name the rocky point has acquired, 
of " Kobertson's Folly." 




LEGEND OF "LOVER'S LEAP." 



Many years ago, there lived a warrior on this island whose 
name was Wawanosh. He was the chief of an ancient 
family of his tribe, who had preserved the line of chieftain- 
ship unbroken from a remote time, and he consequently 
cherished a pride of ancestry. To the reputation of birth 
he added the advantages of a tall and commanding person, 
and the dazzling qualities of personal strength, courage and 
activity. His bow was noted for its size, and the feats he 
had performed with it. His counsel was sought as much as 
his strength was feared, so that he came to be equally 
regarded as a hunter, a warrior and a counsellor. 

Such was Wawanosh, to whom the united voice of the 
nation awarded the first place in their esteem, and the highest 
authority in council. But distinction, it seems, is apt to 
engender haughtiness in the hunter state as well as civilized 
life. Pride was his ruling passion, and he clung with ten- 
acity to the distinctions which he regarded as an inheritance. 

Wawanosh had an only daughter, who had now lived to 
witness the budding of the leaves of the eighteenth spring. 
Her father was not more celebrated for his deeds of strength 
than she for her gentle virtues, her slender form, her full, 
beaming hazel eyes, and her dark and flowing hair. 

Her hand was sought by a young man of humble parent- 
age, who had no other merits to recommend him but such as 
might arise from a tall and commanding person, a manly 
step, and an eye beaming with the tropical tires of youth and 
love. These were sufficient to attract the favorable notice 

m 



62 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 

of the daughter, but were by no means satisfactory to the 
father, who sought an alliance more suitable to the rank and 
the high pretensions of his family. 

"Listen to me, young man," he replied to the trembling 
hunter, who had sought the interview, " and be attentive to 
my words. You ask me to bestow upon you my daughter, 
the chief solace of my age, and my choicest gift from the 
Master of Life. Others have asked of me this boon, wlio 
were as young, as active and as ardent as yourself. Some of 
these persons have had better claims to become my son-in- 
law. Have you reflected upon the deeds which have raised 
me in authority, and made my name known to the enemies 
of my nation ? Where is there a chief who is not proud to 
be considered the friend of Wawanosh ? Where, in all the 
land, is there a hunter who has excelled Wawanosh ? Where 
is there a warrior who can boast the taking of an equal num- 
ber of scalps ? Besides, have you not heard that my fathers 
came from the East, bearing the marks of chieftaincy ?" 

" And what, young man, have you to boast ? Have you 
ever met your enemies in the field of battle ? Have you 
ever brought home a tropliy of victory? Have you ever 
proved your fortitude by suffering protracted pain, enduring 
continued hunger, or sustaining great fatigue? Is your 
name known beyond tlie humble limits of your native vil- 
lage ? Go, then, young man, and earn a name for yourself. 
It is none but the brave that can ever hope to claim an 
alliance with the house of Wawanosh." 

The intimidated lover departed, but he resolved to do a 
deed that should render him worthy of the daugliter of 
Wawanosh, or die in the attempt. He called together 
several of his young companions and equals in years, and 
imparted to them his design of conducting an expedition 
against the enemy, and requested their assistance. Several 
■embraced the proposal immediately ; and, before ten suns 



63 

«et, lie saw himself at the head of a formidable party of 
young warriors, all eager, like himself, to distinguish them- 
selves in battle. Each warrior was armed, according to the 
custom of the period, with a bow and a quiver of arrows, 
tipped with flint or jasper. He carried a sack or wallet, 
provided with a small quantity of parched and pounded 
corn, mixed with pemmican or maple-sugar. He was fur- 
nished with a Puggamaugun, or war-club of hard wood, 
fastened to a girdle of deerskin, and a stone or copper knife. 
In addition to this, some carried the ancient shemaguii, or 
lance, a smooth pole about a fathom in length, with a javelin 
of flint firmly tied on with deer's sinews. Thus equipped, 
and each warrior painted in a manner to suit his fancy, and 
ornamented with appropriate feathers, they repaired to the 
spot appointed for the war-dance. 

A level, grassy plain extended for nearly a mile from the 
lodge of Wawanosh along the lake shore. Lodges of bark 
were promiscuously interspersed over this green, and here 
and there a solitary tall pine. A belt of yellow sand skirted 
the lake shore in front, and a tall, thick forest formed the 
background. In the center of this plain stood a high, shat- 
tered pine, with a clear space about, renowned as the scene 
of the war-dance time out of mind. Here the youths assem- 
bled, with their tall and graceful leader, distinguished by the 
feathers of the bald-eagle, which he wore on his head. A 
bright fire of pine wood blazed upon the green. He led his 
men several times around this fire, with a measured and 
solemn chant. Then suddenly halting, the war-whoop was 
raised, and the dance immediately began. An old man, 
sitting at the head of the ring, beat time upon the drum, 
while several of the elder warriors shook their rattles, and 
" ever and anon " made the woods re-echo with their yells. 

Thus they continued the dance for two successive days 
and nights. 



64 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 

At length the prophet uttered his final prediction of suc- 
cess; and the warriors dropping off, one by one, from the 
fire, took their way to the place appointed for the rendez- 
vous, on the confines of the enemy's country. Their leader 
was not among the last to depart, but he did not leave the 
village without seeking an interview with the daughter of 
Wawanosh. He disclosed to her his firm determination 
never to return, unless he could establish his name as a 
warrior. He told her of the pangs he had felt at the bitter 
reproaches of her father, and declared that his soul spurned 
the imputation of effeminacy and cowardice implied by his 
language. He averred that he could never be happy until 
he had proved to the whole tribe the strength of his heart. 
He said that his dreams had not been propitious, but he 
should not cease to invoke the power of the Great Spirit. 
He repeated his protestations of inviolable attachment, which 
she returned, and, pledging vows of mutual fidelity, they 
parted. 

That parting proved final. All she ever heard from her 
lover after this interview was brought by one of his success- 
ful warriors, who said that he had distinguished himself by 
the most heroic bravery, but, at the close of the fight, he 
had received an arrow in his breast. The enemy fied, leaving 
many of their warriors dead on the field. On examining 
the wound, it was perceived to be beyond their power to 
cure. They carried him toward home a day's journey, but 
he languished and expired in the arms of his friends. From 
the moment the report was received, no smile was ever seen 
in the once happy lodge of Wawanosh. His daughter pined 
away by day and by night. Tears, sighs and lamentation 
were heard continually. Nothing could restore her lost 
serenity of mind. Persuasives and reproofs were alternately 
employed, but employed in vain. She would seek a seques- 
tered spot, where she would sit and sing her mournful 



LEGEND OF " LOVEr's LEAP." 65 

laments for hours together. Passages of these are yet 
repeated by tradition, one of wliich we give: 

THE LOON'S FOOT. 

I thought it was the loon's foot, I saw beneath the tide, 
But no— it was my lover's shining paddle I espied; 
It was my lover's paddle, as my glance I upward cast, 
That dipped so light and gracefully as o'er the lake I passed. 
The loon's foot— the loon's foot, 

*Tis graceful on the sea; 
But not so light and joyous as 
That paddle-blade to me. 

My eyes were bent upon the wave, I cast them not aside. 
And thought I saw the loon's foot beneath the silver tide. 
But ah! my eyes deceived me — for as my glance I cast, 
It was my lover's paddle-blade that dipped so light and fast. 
The loon's foot — the loon's foot, 

'Tis sweet and fair to see ; 
But, oh, my lover's paddle-blade. 
Is sweeter far to me. 

The lake's wave — the long wave — the billow big and free. 
It wafts me up and down, within my yellow light canoe ; 
But while I see beneath heaven pictured as I speed. 
It is that beauteous paddle-blade that makes it heaven indeed. 
The loon's foot— the loon's foot, 

The bird upon the sea, 
Ah! it is not so beauteous 
As that paddle-blade to me. 

It was not long before a small bird of beautiful phimage 
flew upon the rock on which she usually sat. This mysteri- 
ous visitor, which, from its sweet and artless notes, is called 
Chileeli, seemed to respond in sympathy to her plaintive 
voice. It was a strange bird, such as had not before been 
observed. It came every day and remained chanting its 



66 ANNALS OP FORT MACKINAC. 

notes till nightfall ; and when it left its perch, it seemed, 
from the delicate play of the colors of its plumage, as if it 
had taken its hues from the rainbow. Her fond imagination 
soon led her to suppose it was the spirit of her lover, and 
her visits to the lonely rock were repeated more frequently. 
She passed much of her time in fasting and singing her 
plaintive songs. There she pined away, taking little nour- 
ishment, and constantly desiring to pass away to that land of 
expected bliss and freedom from care, where it is believed 
that the spirits of men will be again reunited, and tread 
over fields of flowery enjoyment. One evening, her lifeless 
body was found at the foot of the rock, but when death 
came to her, it was not as the bearer of gloom and regrets, 
but as the herald of happiness. 



LEGEND OF "ARCH ROCK." 



After the Gitche Manitoii had called into existence the 
beautiful Island of Mackinac and given it into the care of 
the kindred spirits of earth, air and water, and had told 
them it was only to be the abode of peace and quiet, it was 
so pleasant in his own eyes that he thought, " Here will I 
also come to dwell, this shall be my abode and my children 
may come and worship me here. Here in the depths of the 
beautiful forest they shall come." 

Then calling his messengers, he bade them fly to all lands 
of heat and noise and troublous insects, and tell the suffering 
ones of every race and clime that in these northern waters 
was a place prepared where they could come and rest, leaving 
all care behind. 

In the straits of Mackinac, 
In the clear pellucid wave, 
Sitting like an emerald gem, 
Is the rock-girt Fairy Isle. 

Round its bold and craggy shore 
Sweep the billows far and wide, 
With a gentle sinuous swell, 
And the moan of distant seas. 

Blue its waters, blue the sky, 
Soft the west wind from afar 
Moving o'er the scented grass. 
And the many myriad flowers. 

The cool invigorating breezes shall bring health and elasti- 
city to the weak and weary. Here disease shall not dare 

[67J 



68 ANNALS OF FOKT MACKINAC. 

invade the pleasant glens or beautiful hilltops. Here let them 
come and receive my blessing. 

" Ye shall also tell the stranger friends, who may come to 
seek me, that my royal landing is on the eastern shore ; there 
shall they draw up the canoes upon the pebbly beach under 
the shadow of the Arched Gateway. Under the Arch 
which they can see from afar, let them come with songs of 
rejoicing — neither night or day shall it be closed to any one 
who may seek me. Let them land before it and pass through 
it and ascend to my dwelling, and worship before me. 

When the great spirit made known his wish to dwell with 
men, all nature seemed to rejoice and to make preparations 
for his abode. 

The tallest trees claimed the privilege of being the poles 
of his wigwam, and sweet balsam firs laid themselves at his 
feet for use. 

The birch trees unsheathed themselves and sent their bark 
in all its soft creamy whiteness to form the outside covering. 

The trees of the forest all vied with each other in seeking 
a place in the future home of the Gitche Manitou. 

Scarcely had the poles fitted themselves into their places, 
and the birch bark unrolled itself and arranged its clinging 
sheets in orderly rows upon the outside, when the noise of 
distant paddles was heard from the lake — swiftly and gaily 
they drew near, guided by the spirits of earth, air and water. 
Never had such a sight been witnessed on this earth. 

The Gitche Manitou, went to meet them, and stood upon 
the Arch and upheld his hands in blessing. 

As his children unloaded their offerings of beaver, white- 
bear and other skins, they marched in procession up to the 
gateway and fell upon their knees and offered their thanks 
to the great spirit for the happy privilege of contributing to 
the comforts of his earthly home. 



LEGEND OF " ARCH ROCK." 69 

" Yes, my children dear, my loved ones, 
I am here in joy and gladness. 
Here to live in peace among you. 
I have come to teach you wisdom 
In the arts of love and living. 
I accept your native offerings, 
These white bear, and fox skins silvery, 
Shall a couch of warmth and comfort 
Make for me when around my fire, 
I am resting from my labors. 
Of the beaver skins and otters 
They shall line the wigwam smoothly, 
So Ka-bi-bo-nok-ka, the north wind, 
Ne'er shall peep or whistle thro' them. 
Enter in my gateway proudly. 
And ascend my staircase slowly, 
And see the home of the Great Spirit, 
Where he dwells among his children." 

Tlicy did as he commanded, and when thej were about to 
return he thus addressed them: 

" Now, my children, as you leave me, 
Forth to go upon your journeyings, 
Tell to allwho know and love me, 
That whenever a chieftain 
Wooes and weds a dark-eyed maiden, 
He shall bring her here before me. 
Gay with garlands, sweet with roses. 
With the sound of music fleeting 
Far and near from every islet 
That lies sleeping in these waters. 
In these glittering, dark green waters. 
Sweetest strains of music blending 
Shall salute them, as the billows 
Of the mighty lake of wonders 
Bears them onward to the portals. 
Where my blessing will await them. 
And as long as they thus serve me 
I will dwell upon this island, 
Henceforth blessing youth and maiden 
Joined in closest bonds of wedlock. 



70 LEGEND OF 

But, if in the coming seasons, 
Some foul spirit roams among you, 
And destroys my loving children, 
This fair home that I have built 
Shall become a rocky fastness. 
Where they all may fly for shelter 
And be safe in my protection," 

Many, many years have passed. The wigwam ot the 
Great Spirit has been transmuted into stone, and is now 
known as the Pyramid. 

The Arched Gateway can still be seen as iu ancient times, 
with its portals guarded by tall green sentinels. 



LEGEND OF MACKINAC ISLAND. 



There once lived an Indian in the north, who had ten 
daughters, all of whom grew up to womanhood. Thej were 
noted for their beauty, but especially Oweenee, the youngest, 
who was very independent in her way of thinking. She 
was a great admirer of romantic places, and paid very little 
attention to the numerous young men who came to her 
father's lodge for the purpose of seeing her. Her elder sis- 
ters were all solicited in marriage from their parents, and one 
after another went off to dwell in the lodges of their husbands, 
but she would listen to no proposals of the kind. At last she 
married an old man called Osseo,who was scarcely able to walk, 
and too poor to have things like others. They jeered and 
laughed at her on all sides, but she seemed to be quite happy, 
and said to them, " It is my choice, and you will see in the end 
who has acted the wisest." Soon after, the sisters and their 
husbands and their parents were all invited to a feast, and 
as they walked along the path, they could not help pitying 
their young and handsome sister, who had such an unsuitable 
mate. Osseo often stopped and gazed upward, but they 
could perceive nothing in the direction he looked, unless it 
was the faint glimmering of the evening star. They heard 
him muttering to himself as they went along, and one of the 
elder sisters caught the words, " Sho-wain-ne-me-shin nosa."* 
"Poor old man," said she, "'he is talking to his father, what 
a pity it is that he would not fall and break his neck, that 
our sister might have a handsome young husband." Pres- 

*Pity me, my father. 
[71] 



72 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 

ently they passed a large hollow log, lying with one end to- 
ward the path. The moment Osseo, who was of the turtle 
totem, came to it, he stopped short, uttered a loud and 
peculiar yell, and then dashing into one end of the log, he 
came out at the other, a most beautiful young man, and 
springing back to the road, he led off the party with steps 
as light as the reindeer. But on turning round to look for 
his wife, behold, she had been changed into an old, decrepit 
woman, who was bent almost double, and walked with a 
cane. The husband, however, treated her very kindly, as 
she had done him during the time of his enchantment, and 
constantly addressed her by the term of ne-ne-moosh-a, or 
my sweet-heart. 

When they came to the hunter's lodge with whom they 
were to feast, they found the feast ready prepared, and as 
soon as their entertainer had finished his harangue (in which 
he told them his feasting was in honor of the Evening or 
Woman's Star), they began to partake of the portion dealt 
out, according to age and character, to each one. The food 
was very delicious, and they were all happy but Osseo, who 
looked at his wife and then gazed upward, as if he was 
looking into the substance of the sky. Sounds were soon 
heard, as if from far-off voices in the air, and they became 
plainer and plainer, till he could clearly distinguish some of 
the words." 

"My son — my son," said the voice, "I have seen your 
afflictions and pity your wants. I come to call you away 
from a scene that is stained with blood and tears. The 
earth is full of sorrows. Giants and sorcerers, the enemies 
of mankind, walk abroad in it, and are scattered through- 
out its length. Every night they are lifting their voices to 
the Power of Evil, and every day they make themselves 
busy in casting evil in the hunter's path. You have long 
been their victim, but shall be their victim no more. The 



LEGEND OF MACKINAC ISLAND. 



73 



spell you were under is broken. Your evil genius is over- 
come. I have cast liim down by my superior strength, and 
this strength I now exert for your happiness. Ascend, 
my son — ascend into tlie skies, and partake of the feast 1 
have prepared for you in the stars, and bring with you those 
you love. 

"The food set before you is enchanted and blessed. 
Fear not to partake of it. It is endowed with magic power 
to give immortality to mortals, and to change men to 
spirits. Your bowls and kettles shall be no longer wood 
and earth. The one shall become silver, and the other 
wampum. They shall shine like fire, and glisten like the 
most beautiful scarlet. Every female shall also change her 
state and looks, and no longer be doomed to laborious 
tasks. She shall put on the beauty of tlie starlight, and 
become a shining bird of the air, clothed with shining 
feathers. She shall dance and not work — she sliall sing 
and not cry." 

"My beams," continued the voice, "shine faintly on your 
lodge, but they have power to transform it into the light- 
ness of the skies, and decorate it witli the colors of the 
clouds. Come, Osseo, my son, and dwell no longer on 
earth. Think strongly on my words, and look steadfastly at 
my beams. My power is now at its height. Doubt not — 
delay not. It is the voice of the Spirit of the stars that 
calls you away to happiness and celestial rest." 

The words were intelligible to Osseo, but his companions 
thouglit them some far-off sounds of music, or birds singing 
in the woods. Yery soon the lodge began to shake and 
tremble, and they felt it rising into the air. It was too late 
to run out, they were already as high as the tops of the 
trees. Osseo looked around as the lodge passed through 
the topmost boughs, and behold ! their wooden dishes were 
changed into shells of a scarlet color, the poles of the lodge 



74 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 

to glittering wires of silver, and the bark tliat covered them 
into the gorgeous wings of insects. A moment more, and 
his brothers and sisters, and their parents and friends, were 
transformed into birds of various plumage. Some were 
jays, some partridges and pigeons, and others gay singing 
birds, who hopped about, displaying their glittering feathers, 
and singing their song. But Oweenee still kept her earthly 
garb, and exhibited all the indications of extreme age. He 
again cast his eyes in the direction of the clouds, and 
uttered that peculiar yell, which had given him the victory 
at the hollow log. In a moment the youth and beauty of 
his wife returned ; her dingy garments assumed the shining 
appearance of green silk, and her cane was changed into a 
silver feather. The lodge again shook and trembled, for 
they were now passing through the uppermost clouds, and 
they immediately after found themselves in the Evening 
Star, the residence of Qsseo's father. 

" My son," said the old man, " hang that cage of birds, 
which you have brought along in your hand,* at the door, 
and I will inform you why you and your wife have been 
sent for." Osseo obeyed the directions; and then took his 
seat in the lodge. " Pity was shown to you," resumed the 
king of the star, "on account of the contempt of your 
wife's sisters, who laughed at her ill fortune, and ridiculed 
you while you were under the power of that wicked spirit, 
whom you overcame at the log. That spirit lives in the 
next lodge, being a small star you see on the left of mine, 
and he has always felt envious of my family, because we 
had greater power than he had, and especially on account 
of our having had the care committed to us of the female 
world. He failed in several attempts to destroy your 
brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, but succeeded at last in 
transforming yourself and your wife into decrepit old per- 
sons. You must be careful and not let the light of his 



LEGEND OF MACKINAC ISLAND. 75( 

beams fall on you while you. are here, for therein Is the 
power of his enchantment; a raj of light is the bow and 
arrow he uses." 

Osseo lived happy and contented in the parental lodge, 
and in due time his wife presented him with a son, who 
grew up rapidly, and was the image of his father. He was 
\^ery quick and ready in learning everything that was done 
in his grandfather's dominions, but he wished also to learn 
the art of hunting, for he had heard this was a favorite 
pursuit below. To gratify him, his father made him a bow 
and arrows, and he then let the birds out of the cage that 
he might practise in shooting. He soon became an expert, 
and the very first day brought down a bird, but when he 
went to pick it up, to his amazement, it was a beautiful 
young woman with the arrow sticking in her breast. It 
was one of his aimts. The moment her blood fell upon 
the surface of that pure and spotless planet, the charm was 
dissolved. The boy immediately found himself sinking, but 
was partly upheld, by something like wings, till he passed 
through the lower clouds, and he then suddenly dropped 
upon a high, romantic island. He was pleased on look- 
ing up to see all his aunts and uncles following him in 
the form of birds, and he soon discovered the silver lodge, 
with his father and mother, descending with its waving 
barks looking like so many insects' gilded wings. It rested 
on the highest cliffs of the island, and here they fixed their 
residence. They all resumed their natural shapes, but were 
diminished to the size of fairies; as a mark of homage to 
the King of the Evening Star, they never fail, on every 
pleasant evening during the summer season, to join hands 
and dance upon the top of the rocks. These rocks were 
quickly observed by the Indians to be covered, in moonlight 
evenings, with a larger sort of Puk Wudj Ininees, or little 
men, and were called Mishrin-e-moh-in-ok-ong, or turtle 



76 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 

spirits, whence the island derives is name. Their shining 
lodge can be seen in the summer evenings when the moon 
shines strongly on the pinnacles of the rocks, and those who 
go near those high cliffs at night can hear the voices of the 
happy little dancers. 



THE GIANT FAIRIES. 



Long years before the white man came into these regions, 
many fairies lived here, rollicking fairies, who laughed and 
danced and sung their lives away. 

Every flower and bush and tree, every rock and hill and 
glen, was thickly peopled with these canny folk, and on 
moonlight nights all tlie Indians in their wigwams sat in 
breathless attention — 

Then they hear, now sweet and low, 

Sounds as of a distant lyre, 

Touched by fairy hands so light 

That the trembling tones scarce are heard. 

What the music none can tell, 
So unearthly and so pure, — 
But it seems as if the notes 
Loosened all the magic sounds 
Held within the tinkling grass, — 
In the mosses and the ferns, 
In the vines which climb and creep, 
In the flowers of every hue, — 
In the heavy-folded rose, 
In the violets at its feet. 
In the lily's gentle swing. 

Sweeping o'er the lonely streams, 
Through the sands on deserts low, 
Through the snows on mountains bigh. 
Through the flowers on the plains, 
Through the sylvan shady bowers. 
Through the forests dark and hoar, 
Through the lofty oaks and ehus, 

[77] 



ANNALS OF FORT MAOKINAO. 

Through the leaves of tulip trees, 
Through catalpas, white with bloom, 
Through magnolias kingly crowned, 
Through the poplars, amber sweet, 
Through the towering cypresses, 
Pendant with the gray old mosses, 
Patriarchs of the lowlier tribes. 
With the sound of laughing brooks, 
And the notes of singing birds ; 
Softened by the cooing dove. 
By the plover's gentle dip, 
By the lonely, limpid rills, 
By the silence, deep, profound. 
Resting o'er the wilderness. 

With the thunder's distant roar, 
Rolling, rumbling through the sky. 
Over mountains, hills, and plains, 
Over rivers, lakes, and seas; 
Chiming with the overture 
In its massive undertones. 
Mellowing, melting all its chords 
Into dulcet harmonies; 
Into dirge-like requiems; 
Into rhythmic symphonies; 
Gathering all the breath of song 
In its weird and wayward moods; 
In its plaintive, touching strains; 
In its playful laughing trills; 
In its wild and fearful tones; 
Trancing all the insect tribes. 
Hid in thicket, bush, and grove; — 
Butterflies, of every hue. 
Bees, of wondrous skill and lore; 
Beetles, puzzled, lost, and wild; 
Mites and emmets, flies and gnats, 
Maddened, ravished, filled witb joy,— 
Frenzied with the flush of song. 



THE GIANT FAIKIE8. 79 

Birds, in forest, tree, and copse, 
In the jungle, in the grass, 
Near the lonely stream and lake, 
On the wing in winding flocks, 
Wildered with the rapturous sounds, 
Pause to listen, still and mute, 
Till the tempest rushes past, — 

O, the music ! O, the sweet ! 
Breathing fragrance, breathing song, 
Mingling all of earth and air 
That can charm the wakened sense. 
Thus with odors rich and rare. 
Music lent its magic powder, 
Dirge and requiem, ditty, lay. 
Fugue and march, and waltz and hymn 
Silver-toned, euphonious, grave; 
Chimes of measured step and grace, 
Dulcet strains of sweetest rhythm. 
Overtures of matchless sweep, — 
All that fills the hungry air. 
All that wakes the sleeping sense. 
Blending with the virgin soil; 
With the creeping juniper, 
With the cedar and the pine. 
With the rich magnolia's bloom, 
With the jasmine and the grape. 
With the scent of early fruits; — 
Such the music, such the air. 
Sweeping westward o'er the lakes. 
Such, — the Isle of Mackinac. 

• It was upon tlie eastern rock-bound shore that the 
giant fairies most loved to congregate. There they skipped 
up and down their famous stairway, and, flinging themselves 
into the water, would disappear in its depths, perhaps to rise 
again on the back of some immense sturgeon or wnitefish, 
the reindeer of the lakes, for a race through, the sparkling 
water. 



80 ANNALS OF F^RT MACKINAC. 

These genii lived in the many caves in the rocks. In the 
depths of their quiet liomes were — 

Tables, crowned with daintiest food, 
Wine of berries, rich and sweet ; 
Beds of eider-down and moss; 
CI I ambers, opening to the sea, 
Filled with sparkling stalactites ; 
Rubies bright, and amethysts, 
Diamonds flasliing, filled with light; 
Marble halls and palaces ; 
Corridors, of awful length, 
Stretching westward toward tlie sun, 
Opening into distant halls, 
Wildering to the aching sight. 
Wide the pavements covered o'er 
With the shells of every hue ; 
Lichens green, and red, and white, 
Spreading wider, flush and fair, 
Sprinkled with the aureate dust 
Found within their hidden caves. 

Their favorite dancing place was the plateau just below 
where the fort now stands, and the entrance to their subter- 
ranean abode was under the immense rock that supports one 
of the corners of the wall. 

Here their mystic ring was kept, and on moonlight nights 
they gathered from far and near — 

At twilight on the lonely Isle, 
'Mid the rustling of the leaves, 
And the chirp of dainty birds. 
And the notes of whip-poor-wills, — 
Oft was heard the mystic dance 
Of Giant Fairies, lithe of step, 
Moving in their sinuous sweep 
To the sounds of lute and string. 
Now, where the rippling waters play. 
Or on the billow's gentle swell, 
Laughing, rollicking and free, 



THE GIANT FAIRIES. 81 

Or clambering Donan's Obelisk, 
With towering leap and sportive romp, 
With heyday pranks, and leer, and jest, 
They reel, and minuet, and waltz, 
In wassail mirth and jollity. 
Upon Ledyard's lofty Cliffs they perch. 
In graceful curves they reach the Arch 
That hangs upon the eastern shore, — 
Now gently tripping round its base, 
They climb upon its ragged sides. 
And sweeping o'er its dizzy height, 
With rapid flight and easy grace, 
They move around the Pyramid, 
And peep within its secret caves. 
Or stand upon its star-lit shaft; — 
And then, away, away, away. 
They sweep around the grand plateau 
That sits enthroned upon the Isle; — 
Within Skull Cave they barely peep, 
RuGGLEs' Pillar, they lightly touch, 
To Whitney's Point, they hie away, 
Thence, the Lover's Leap they climb. 

Here the tramping feet were heard 
Of the Pe-quod-e-nonge dance. 
When the gathering warriors came 
Plumed and painted for the fight; — 
And the startling yell was heard 
O'er the Island — o'er the straits, 
O'er the waters, deep and clear, 
O'er the Huron and its shores, 
O'er the breezy Michigan; 



Suddenly La Salle's morning gun from the " Griffon'' rang 
out on the breeze and echoed and re-echoed with many re- 
verberations from the adjacent shores. 

With horrible shrieks and cries and groans they flew from 
all parts of the island, and entering their cave disappeared 
evermore from mortal view. 



82 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 



Reluctantly they left the Isle 
■\^hen the *^ pale faces " touched upon 
Their native waters, rocks, and hills; — 
For only will they deign to dwell 
Where the wild hunter seeks his food 
And claims the forest all his own. 

I sing of the fairies fled, 

I know not where they are, 
Whether living, dying, or dead, 

On the earth, or some distant star. 
In the hollow wastes, or the vacant caves, 

In the shadowy, dreamless land. 
Where tlie river of Lethe gently laves 

Its footless and dusky sand, — 
Far, far away is the spectral band. 

Over the silent moor. 

Over the secret dell, 
Over the waters fresh and pure 

With music's magic spell, 
Hither and thither they went. 

Now rapid, or grave, or slow, 
Till the drowsy hours were spent 

And the morning began to glow. 
But we see them now no more, 

We hear them not at even. 
By river, or lake, or lonely shore, 

Beneath the western heaven. 



And thus have the fairies left our shore, 
Their beautiful forms we shall see no more; 
The caves are forsaken, the mountain and plain, 
Our Island home shall greet them — never again. 



LEGEND OF MISHINI-MAKINAC. 83 



LEGEND OF "MISHINI-MAKUSTAK." 

Note : — There is a tradition that many centuries ago while 
a party of Indians were standing on the bluff where St. 
Ignace is now located, and looking out over the straits 
they saw the present Island of Mackinac rising out of the 
water, and beliving it was some animal, from its movements 
and shape they pronounced it to be a turtle. 

The Island was known to the early French visitors as 
" Michilimackinac: " popular tradition says that the meaning 
of the word is " Giant Turtle." 

In the Ojibwa dialect as now spoken, " Mishimikinak " 
signifies " Big Turtle." 

Edisoked. — A story teller; one who repeats and hands 
down the tales of Mena-bosho and other kindred legendary 
lore. 

Eh heh 1 Eh heh ! — is the usual refrain of Indian magic 



Where the restless currents of Michigan 
The twin-born Huron embrace, 

Along the headland there sat a clan 
Of the wild Ojibwa race. 

In the noontide calm, on the sleepy shore. 
Reposed the lords of the land, 

While the story-teller's mystic lore 
Beguiled the simple band. 

Thus spake the prattling Edisoked; — 
"A wigwam stands in the deep; 

Enchanted lies in the channel's bed 
The Giant Turtle asleep. 



34 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 

Around him paddle whitefish and trout, 
The slow worm creeping goes; 

The sea-gull's scream and the rover's shout 
Break not his charmed repose. 

Rise up, rise up, O Turtle grey; 

Rise up, thou chief of the lake, 
Thy cousins call thee, — eh heh! eh hehl 

Enchanted Turtle, awake ! " 

The lake lay calm and the wind was hush'd, 

But lo! there rose a swell; 
The surges over the pebbles rushed— 

The song had broken the spell. 

It heaves; it eddies. Alack! Alack! 

The breakers tower and fall; 
Unwieldy Misiiini-makinak 

Toils up to answer the call. 

Already whitens the flood mid-way 

Twixt shore and shore. On the strand, 

Along the headland, in blank dismay 
The brown Ojibwa stand. 

And slowly, softly the rounded back 
Emerging meets the eye. 

Till all of MiSHINl-MAKINAK 

Lies basking 'neath the sky. 

He floats, a mammoth in turtle shape, 
An overturned bowl, the back; 

The dragging tail a fleshy cape, 
The jowl aT headland black. 

The mighty shell like an island lies, 

At anchor out in the lake. 
^Tls not an isle. O strange surprise! 
'Tis the Chief uncharmed, awake! 

Unmoved, alike, by the billow's sweep. 
By the tempest's battering shock. 

Severe and calm in the azure deep. 
He stands a towering rock. 



LEGEND OF MISHINI-MAKINAK. §5 

But alert within that frowning form 

The spirit blithe and gay, 
With fairy sprites, that 'round him swarm, 

Communes by night and day. 

The dappled trout and the whitefish come 

Up-lake, down over the Falls; 
His children all from their silent home 

To the gay carouse he calls. 

The Red Man — eager yet doubtful, while 

The silver tide runs past, 
Enticed, bewitched, to the magic isle 

His birch bark paddles at last. 

And one there comes in robe of black, 

With face so sweet and grave, 
That frowning Mishini-makinak 

Smiles on him from the wave. 

With toilworn feet, a pilgrim quaint, 

The holy cross in his hand 
From la belle France he comes, good saint, 

To sleep on the pebbly strand. 

And over the waves as the chief grows old, 

In storm or sunshine gay. 
The Lily, Lion and Eagle bold 

Their homage come to pay. 

On hoary Mishini-makinak 

Their several flags unfurl. 
While wrestling, each from the giant's back 

The other seeks to hurl. 

Oh! sure is the flight to the mother bee 

Of the humming swarms of the hive; 
But surer, swifter, from land and sea. 

The Chieftain's vassals arrive. 

From prairies far and their burning heat, 

From Hudson's shivering bay; 
From the western peaks, at the Giant's feet 

They flock their wealth to lay. 



86 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 

The skiff, the light canoe, the smack, 
The merchant's ship in their wake, 

All bound for Mishini-makinak 
Are plowing river and lake. 

Bright, broken dream! It calls not back 

That gay chivalrictime: — 
Wilt thou still honor old Makinak, 

Age of the dollar and dime ? 

Behold the answer f Do not these things 

Arabian marvels eclipse? 
On comes — on comes, — as on eagle's wings, 

A fleet of wingless ships ! 

With panting bosom, — with splashing gait, 

With dull monotonous roar. 
They come, — their frolicsome human freight 

In the Sorcerer's lap to pour. 

There all, in sweet oblivion lost, 
(The touch of witchery's wand) 

Their ailments offer a holocaust 
At Giant Turtle's command. 



ANNALS OF FOKT MACKINAC. 87 



Shingebiss 



There was once a Shingebiss, the name of the fall duck, 
living alone in a solitary lodge on Mackinac Island in the 
coldest winter weather. The ice had formed on the water, 
and he had but four logs of wood to keep his fire. Each of 
these would, however, burn a month, and as there were but 
four cold winter months, they were sufficient to carry him 
through till spring. 

Shingebiss was hardy and fearless, and cared for no one. 
He would go out during the coldest day, and seek for places 
where flags and rushes grew through the ice, and plucking 
them up with his bill, Avould dive through the openings, in 
quest of fish. In this way he found plenty of food, while 
others were starving, and he went home daily to his lodge, 
dragging strings of fish after him, over the ice. 

Kabibonokka* observed him, and felt a little piqued at his 
perseverance and good luck in defiance of the severest blasts 
of wind he could send from the northwest. " Why ! this is a 
wonderful man," said he ; "he does not mind the cold, and ap- 
pears as happy and contented as if it were the month of June. 
I will try whether he cannot be mastered." He poured forth 
tenfold colder blasts, and drifts of snow, so that it was next 
to impossible to live in the open air. Still, the fire of Shinge- 
biss did not go out : he wore but a single strip of leather 
around his body, and he was seen, in the worst weather, 
searching the shores for rushes, and carrying home fish. 

"I shall go and visit him," said Kabibonokka, one day, as 

* A personification of the northwind. 



88 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 

he saw Shingebiss dragging along a quantity of fish. And, 
accordingly, that very night, he went to the door of his lodge. 
Meantime Shingebiss had cooked his fish, and finished his 
meal, and was lying, partly on his side, before the fire, singing 
his songs. After Kabibonokka had come to the door, and 
stood listening there, he sang as follows :- 

Windy god, I know your plan, 
You are but my fellow-man ; 
Blow you may your coldest breeze, 
Shingebiss you cannot freeze. 
Sweep the strongest wind you can, 
Shingebiss is still your man ; 
Heigh! for life — and ho! for bliss, 
Who so free as Shingebiss ? 

The hunter knew that Kabibonokka was at his door, for 
he felt his cold breath ; but he kept on singing his songs, and 
affected utter indifference. At length Kabibonokka entered, 
and took a seat on the opposite side of the lodge. Shingebiss 
did not notice him, but got up as if nobody were present, 
pushed the log, which made his fire burn brighter, repeating, 
as he sat down again : — 

You are but my fellow- man. 

Yery soon the tears began to flow down Kabibonokka's 
cheeks so fast, that, presently, he said to himself: "I can- 
not stand this — I must go out; he must be aided by some 
Manitou, I can neither freeze him nor starve him — he is a 
very singular being — I will let him alone.'* 



ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 89 



The Celestial Sisters. 



Waiipee, or the White Hawk, lived in a remote part of the 
forest, where animals and birds were abundant. Every day 
lie returned from the chase with the reward of his toil, for 
he was one of the most skilful and celebrated hunters of his 
tribe. With a tall, manly form, and the fire of youth beam- 
ing from his eye, there was no forest too gloomy for him to 
penetrate, and no track made by the numerous kinds of birds 
and beasts which he could not follow. 

One day he penetrated beyond any point which he had be- 
fore visited. He travelled through an open forest, which 
enabled him to see a great distance. At length he beheld a 
light breaking through the foliage, which made him sure 
that he was on the borders of a prairie. It was a wide plain 
covered with grass and flowers. After walking some time 
without a path, he suddenly came to a ring worn through the 
sod, as if it had been made by footsteps following a circle. 
But what excited his surprise was, that there was no path 
leading to or from it. Not the least trace of footsteps could 
be found, even in a crushed leaf or broken twig. He thought 
he would hide hiniGelf, and lie in wait to see what this circle 
meant. Presently he heard the faint sounds of music in the 
air. He looked up in the direction they came from, and saw 
a small object descending from above. At first it looked like 
a mere speck, but rapidly increased, and, as it came down, the 
music became plainer and sweeter. It assumed the form of 
a basket, and was filled with twelve sisters of the most lovely 
forms and enchanting beauty. As soon as the basket touched 



90 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 

the ground, they leaped out, and began to dance round the 
magic ring, striking, as the)^ did so a shining ball as we strike 
the drum. Wan pee gazed npon their graceful forms and mo- 
tions from his place of concealment. He admired them all, 
but was most pleased with the youngest. Unable longer to 
restrain his admiration, he rushed out and endeavored to 
seize her. But the sisters, with the quickness of birds, the 
moment they descried the form of a man, leaped back into 
the basket and were drawn up into the sky. 

Regretting his ill luck and indiscretion, he gazed till he 
saw them disappear, and then said, "They are gone, and I 
shall see them no more.*' He retnrned to his solitary lodge, 
but found no relief to his mind. Next day he went back to 
the prairie, and took his station near the ring ; but in order 
to deceive the sisters, he assumed the form of an opossum. 
He had not waited long, when he saw the wicker car descend, 
and heard the same sweet music. - They commenced the 
same sportive dance, and seemed even more beautiful and 
graceful than before. He crept slowly towards the ring, but 
the instant the sisters saw him they were startled, and sprang 
into their car. It rose but a short distance, when one of the 
elder sisters spoke. " Perhaps," said she, " it is come to show 
us how the game is played by mortals." " Oh, no ! " the 
youngest replied ; " quick, let us ascend." And all joining 
in a chant, the>' rose out of sight. 

Wan pee returned to his own form again, and walked sor- 
rowfully back to his lodge. But the night seemed a very 
long one, and he went back betimes the next day. He re- 
flected upon the sort of plan to follow to secure success. He 
found an old stump near by, in which there were a number 
of mice. He thought their small form would not create 
alarm, and accordingly assumed it. He brought the stump 
and sat it up near the ring. The sisters came down and re- 
sumed their sport. " But see," cried the younger sister, 



ANNALS OF FOET MACKINAC. 91 

" that stump was not there before." She ran affriglited 
towards the car. Thej only smiled and gathering around the 
Btump, struck it in jest, wlien out ran the mice, Waupee 
among the rest. They killed them all but one, which was 
pursued by the youngest sister ; but just as she had raised 
her stick to kill it, the form of Waupee arose, and he clasped 
his prize in his arms. The other eleven sprang to their bas- 
ket and were drawn up to the skies. 

He exerted all his skill to please his bride and win Jier af- 
fections. He wiped the tears from her eyes. He related 
his adventures in the chase. He dwelt upon the charms of life 
on the earth. He was incessant in his attentions, and picked 
out the way for her to walk as he led her gently towards his 
lodge. He felt his heart glow with joy as she entered it, and 
from that moment he was one of the happiest of men. Winter 
and summer passed rapidly away, and their liappiness was in- 
creased by the addition of a beautiful boy to their lodge. 
She was a daughter of one of the stars, and as the scenes 
of earth began to pall her sight, she sighed to revisit her 
father. But she was obliged to hide these feelings from her 
husband. She remembered the charm that would carry her 
up, and took occasion, while Waupee was engaged in the 
chase, to construct a wicker basket, which shekeptJ concealed. 
In the mean time she collected such rarities from the earth 
as she thought would please her father, as well as the most 
dainty kinds of food. When all was in readiness, she went 
out one day, while Waupee was absent, to the charmed ring, 
taking her little son with her. As soon as they got into the 
car she commenced her song and the basket rose. As the 
song was wafted by the wind, it caught her husband's ear. 
It was a voice which he well knew, and he instantly ran to 
the prairie. But he could not reach the ring before he saw 
his wife and child ascend. He lifted up his voice in loud ap- 
peals, but they were unavailing. The basket still went up. 



92 ANNALS OF FOKT MACKINAC. 

He watched it till it became a small speck, and finally it van- 
ished in the sky. He then bent his head down to the ground, 
and was miserable. 

Waupee bewailed his loss through a long winter and a long 
summer. But he found no relief. He mourned his wife's 
loss sorely, but his son's still more. In the meantime his 
wife had reached her home in the stars, and almost forgot, in 
the blissful employments there, that she liad left a husband 
on the earth. She was reminded of this by the presence of 
her son, who, as he grew up, became anxious to visit the 
scene of his birth. His grandfather said to his daughter one 
day, "Go, my child, and take your son down to his father, 
and ask him to come up and live with us. But tell him to 
bring along a specimen of each kind of bird and animal he 
kills in the chase." She accordingly took the boy and des- 
cended. Waupee, who was ever near the enchanted spot, 
heard her voice as she came down the sky. His heart beat 
with impatience as he saw her form and that of his son, and 
they were soon clasped in his arms. 

He heard the message of the Star, and began to hunt with 
the greatest activity, that he might collect the present. He 
spent whole nights, as well as days, in searching for every 
curious and beautiful bird or animal. He only preserved a 
tail, foot or wing of each, to identify the species; and, when 
all was ready, they went to the circle and were carried up. 

Great joy was manifested on their arrival at the starry 
plains. The Star Chief invited all his people to a feast, and, 
when they had assembled, he proclaimed aloud that each one 
might take of the earthly gifts such as he liked best. A very 
strange confusion immediately arose. Some chose a foot, 
some a wing, some a tail, and some a clavr. Those who 
selected tails or claws were changed into animals, and ran off; 
the others assumed the form of birds, and flew away. Wau- 
pee chose a white hawk's feather. His wife and son followed 



ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 9^ 

his example, when each one became a white liawk. Pleased 
with his transformation and new vitality, the chief spread out 
gracefully his white wings, and followed by his wife and son, 
descended to the earth. 



04 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 



The Summer-Maker. 



There formerly lived a celebrated hunter on the north- 
ern shore of Mackinac Island, who was a very powerful 
Manitou, for there was nothing but what he could accom- 
plish. He lived in a wild, lonesome place, with a wife 
whom he loved, and they w^ere blessed with a son who had 
attained his thirteenth year. The hunter's name was Ojeeg, 
or the Fisher, which is the name of an expert, sprightly little 
animal, common to the region. He was so successful in the 
chase that he seldom returned without bringing his wife and 
son a plentiful supply of venison, or other dainties of the 
woods. As hunting formed his constant occupation, his son 
began early to emulate his father in the same employment, 
and would take his bow and arrows, and exert his skill in try- 
ing to kill birds and squirrels. The greatest impediment he 
met with, was the coldness and severity of the climate. He 
often returned home, his little fingers benumbed with cold 
and crying with vexation at his disappointment. Months 
and years passed away, but still the same perpetual depth 
of snow was seen, covering all the country with a white 
cloak. 

One day, after a fruitless trial of his forest skill, the little 
boy was returning homeward with a heavy heart, when he 
saw a small red squirrel gnawing the top of a pine bur. 
He had approached within a proper distance to shoot, when 
the squirrel sat up on its hind legs and thus addressed him : 

" My grandchild, put up your arrows and listen to what I 
have to tell you." The boy complied rather reluctantly, 
when the squirrel continued : " My son, I see you pass fre- 



ANNALS OF FOKT MACKINAC. 05 

quently, with your lingers benumbed with cold, and crying 
with vexation for not having killed any birds. Now, if you 
wdll follow my advice, we will see if you cannot accomplish 
your wishes. If you will strictly pursue my advice, we will 
have perpetual summer, and you will then have the pleasure 
of killing as many birds as you please, and I will also have 
something to eat. 

^'Listen to me. As soon as you get home you must com- 
mence crying. You must throw away your bow and arrows 
in discontent. If your mother asks you w^hat is the matter, 
you must not answer her, but continue crying and sobbing. 
If she offers you anything to eat, you must push it away with 
apparent discontent, and continue crying. In the evening, 
when your father returns from hunting, he will inquire of 
your mother what is the matter with you. She will answer 
that you came home crying, and would not so much as men- 
tion the cause to her. All this while you must not leave off 
sobbing. At last your father will say, 'My son, -why is 
this unnecessary grief ? Tell me the cause. You know I 
am a spirit, and that nothing is impossible for me to per- 
form.' You must then answer him, and say that you are 
sorry to see the snow continually on the ground, and ask him 
if he could not cause it to melt, so that we might have per- 
petual summer. Say it in a supplicating way, and tell him 
this is the cause of your grief. Your father will reply, ' It 
is very hard to accomplish your request, but for your sake 
and for my love for you, I will use my utmost endeavors.' 
He will tell you to be still and cease crying. He will try to 
bring summer with all its loveliness. You must then be 
quiet, and eat that which is set before you." 

The squirrel ceased. The boy promised obedience to his 
advice, and departed. When he reached home, he did as he 
had been instructed, and all was exactly fulfilled, as it had 
been predicted by the squirrel. 



96 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 

Ojeeg told him tliat it was a great undertaking. lie mnst 
first make a feast, and invite some of liis friends to accom- 
pany him on a journey. Next day he had a bear roasted 
whole. All who had been invited to the feast came punc- 
tually to the appointment. There were the Otter, Beaver, 
Lynx, Badger, and Wolverine. After the feast they ar- 
ranged it among themselves to set out on the contemplated 
journey in three days. When the time arrived, the Fislier 
took leave of his wife and son, as he foresaw that it was for 
the last time. He and his companions traveled in company 
day after day, meeting with nothing but the ordinary inci- 
dents. On the twentieth day they arrived at the foot of a 
high mountain, where they saw the tracks of some person 
who had recently killed an animal, which they knew by the 
blood that marked the way. The Fisher told his friends that 
they ought to follow the track, and see if they could not pro- 
cure something to eat. They followed it for some time ; at 
last they arrived at a lodge which had been hidden from their 
view by a hollow in the mountain. Ojeeg told his friends 
to be very sedate, and not to laugh on any account. The 
first object that they saw was a man standing at the door of 
the lodge, but of so deformed a shape that they could not 
possibly make out who or what sort of a man it could be. 
His head was enormously large ; he had such a queer set of 
teeth, and no arms. They wondered how he could kill ani- 
mals. But the secret was soon revealed. He was a great 
Manitou. He invited them to pass the night, to which they 
consented. 

He boiled his meat in a hollow vessel made of wood, and 
took it out of this singular kettle in some way unknown to 
his guests. He carefully gave each their portion to eat, but 
made so many odd movements that the Otter could not re- 
frain from laughing. The Manitou looked at him with a 
terrible look, and then made a spring at him, and got on him 



ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 97 

to smother liim, for that was his mode of killing animals. 
But the Otter, when he felt liim on his neck, slipped his 
head back and made for the door, which he passed in safety ; 
but went ont with the curse of tlie Manitou. The others 
passed the night and they conversed on different subjects. 
The Manitou told the Fisher that he would accomplish his 
object, but that it would probably cost him his life. He 
gave them his advice, directed them how to act, and described 
a certain road which they must follow, and they would there- 
by be led to the place of action. 

They set oif in the morning, and met their friend, the 
Otter, shivering with cold ; but Ojeeg had taken care to 
bring along some of the meat that had been given him, 
which he presented to his friend. They pursued their way 
and travelled twenty days more before they got to the place 
which the Manitou had told them of. It was a lofty moun- 
tain. They rested on its highest peak to fill their pipes and 
refresh themselves. Before smoking, they made the custom- 
ary ceremony, pointing to the heavens, the four winds, the 
earth and the zenith ; in the meantime, speaking in a loud 
voice, addressed the Great Spirit, hoping that their object 
would be accomplished. They then commenced smoking. 

They gazed on the sky in silent admiration and astonish- 
ment, for they were on so elevated a point, that it appeared 
to be only a short distance above their heads. After they 
had finished smoking, they prepared themselves. Ojeeg 
told the Otter to make the first attempt to try and make a 
hole in the sky. He consented with a grin. He made a 
leap, but fell down the hill stunned by the force of his fall ; 
and the snow being moist, and falling on his back, he slid 
with velocity down the side of the mountain. When he 
found himself at the bottom, he thought to himself, it is 
the last time I make such a jump, so 1 will make the 
best of my way home. Then it was the turn of the Beaver, 



98 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 

who made tlie attempt, but fell down senseless; then of the 
Lynx and Badger, who had no better success. 

"Now," says Fisher to the Wolverine, " try yonr skill; 
your ancestors were celebrated for their activity, hardihood, 
and perseverance, and I depend on you for success. Now, 
make the attempt.'^ He did so, but also without success. 
lie leaped the second time, but now they could see that the 
sky was giving way to their repeated attempts. Mustering 
strength, he made tlie third leap, and went in. The Fisher 
ninibly followed him. 

They found themselves in a beautiful plain, extending as 
far as the eye could reach, covered with flowers of a thousand 
different hues and fragrance. Here and there were clusters 
of tall, shady trees, separated by innumerable streams of the 
purest water, which wound around their courses under the 
cooling shades, and filled the plain with countless beautiful 
lakes, whose banks and bosom were covered with water-fowl, 
basking and sporting in the sun. The trees were alive with 
birds of different plumage, warbling their sweet notes, and 
delighted with perpetual spring. 

The Fisher and his friend beheld very long lodges, and 
the celestial inhabitants amusing themselves at a distance. 
Words cannot express the beauty and charms of the place. 
The lodges were empty of inhabitants, but they saw them 
lined with mocuks^ of different sizes, filled with birds and 
fowls of different plumage. Ojeeg thought of his son, and 
immediately commenced cutting open the mocuks and letting 
out the birds, who descended in whole flocks through the 
opening which they had made. The warm air of those re- 
gions also rushed down through the opening, and spread its 
genial influence over the north. 

When the celestial inhabitants saw the birds let loose, and 
the warm gales descending, they raised a shout like thun- 

*Baskets, or cages. 



ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 



99 



der, and Fan for their lodges. But it was too late. Spring, 
fiumraer and autnmn had gone; even perpetual summer had 
almost all gone ; but they separated it with a blow, and only 
a part descended ; but the ends were so mangled, that, wher- 
ever it prevails among the lower inhabitants, it is always 
sickly. 

When the Wolverine heard the noise, he made for the 
opening and safely descended. Not so the Fisher. Anxious 
to fulfil his son's wishes, he continued to break open the mo- 
cuks. He was, at last, obliged to run also, but the opening 
was now closed by the inhabitants. He ran with all his might 
over the plains of heaven, and it would appear, took a north- 
erly direction. He saw his pursuers so close that he had to 
climb the first large tree he came to. They commenced 
shooting at him with their arrows, but without effect, for all 
his body was invulnerable except the space of about an inch 
near the tip of his tail. At last one of the arrows hit the 
spot, for he had in this chase assumed the sliape of the Fisher 
after whom he was named. 

He looked down from the tree, and saw some among his 
assailants with the totems* of his ancestors. He claimed re- 
lationship and told them to desist, which they only did at the 
approach of night. He then came down to try and find an 
opening in the celestial plain, by which he might descend to 
the earth. But he could find none. At last, becoming faint 
from the loss of blood from the wound on his tail, he laid 
himself down toward the north of the plain, and, stretching 
out his limbs, said, " I have fulfilled my promise to my son, 
though it has cost me my life ; but I die satisfied in the idea 
that I have done so much good, not only for him, but for my 
fellow-beings. Hereafter I will be a sign to the inhabitants 
below for ages to come, who will venerate my name for hav- 

* Family arms, or armorial mark. 



100 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 

ing succeeded in procuring the varying seasons. They will 
now have from eight to ten moons without snow." 

He was found dead next morning, but they left him as they 
found him, with the arrow sticking in his tail, as it can be 
plainly seen, at this time, in the heavens. 



ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 101 



The Spirit of Sleep. 



The power of the Indian Morpheus is executed by a pecu- 
liar class of gnome-like beings, called Wee^igs. These subor- 
dinate creations, although invisible to the human eye, are 
each armed with a tiny war-club, with which they nimbly 
climb up the forehead, and knock the drowsy person on the 
head ; on which sleepiness is immediately produced. If the 
first blow is insufficient, another is given, until the eyelids 
close, and a sound sleep is produced. It is the constant duty 
of these little agents to put every one to sleep whom they en- 
counter — men, women and children. They are found se- 
creted around the bed, or on small protuberances of the bark 
of the Indian lodges. They hide themselves in the smoking 
pouch of the hunter, and when he sits down to light his pipe 
in the woods, are ready to fly out and exert their sleep-com- 
pelling power. If they succeed, the game is suffered to pass, 
and the hunter obliged to return to his lodge without a 
reward. 

In general, they are represented to possess friendly dispo- 
sitions, seeking constantly to restore vigor and elasticity to 
the exhausted body. But being without judgment, their 
power is sometimes exerted at the hazard of reputation, or 
even life. Sleep may be induced in a person carelessly float- 
ing in his canoe, above a fall ; or in a war party, on the bor- 
ders of an enemy's country. Although their peculiar season 
of action is in the night, they are also alert during the day. 

While the forms of these gnomes are believed to be those 
of little or fairy men, the figure of Weeng himself is un- 
known, and it is not certain that he has ever been seen. Most 



102 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 

of what is known on this subject, is derived from lagoo, 
who related, that going out one day witli his dogs to hunt, he 
passed through a wide range of thicket, where he lost his 
dogs. He became much alarmed, for they were faithful ani- 
mals, and he was greatly attached to them. He called out, 
and made every exertion to recover them in vain. At length 
he came to a spot where he found them asleep, having in- 
cautiously run near the residence of Weeng. After great ex- 
ertions he aroused them, but not without having felt the 
power of somnolency himself. As he cast his eyes up from 
the place where the dogs were lying, he saw the Spirit of 
Sleep sitting upon the branch of a tree. He was in the shape 
of a giant insect, with many wings from his back, which 
made a low, deep murmuring sound, like distant falling 
water. 

Weeng is also the author of dullness. If an orator fails, he 
is said to be struck by Weeng. If a warrior lingers^ he has 
been too near the sleepy god. When children begin to nod 
or yawn, the Indian mother says, "They have been struck 
by Weeng," and puts them to bed. 



ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 103 



The Humpbacked Manitou. 



Bokwewa and his younger brother lived in a secluded part 
of Mackinac Island. They were Manitons, who had assumed 
mortal shapes. Bokwewa was the most gifted in super- 
natural endowments, although he was deformed in person, 
but his brother partook more of the nature of tiie present 
race of beings. They lived retired from the world, and un- 
disturbed by its cares. 

Bokwewa, owing to his deformity, was very domestic in 
his habits, and gave his attention to household affairs. He 
instructed his brother in the manner of pursuing game, and 
made him acquainted with all the accomplishments of a 
sagacious and expert hunter. His brother possessed a fine 
form, an active and robust constitution, and felt a disposition 
to show himself among men. He was restive in seclusion, 
and showed a fondness for visiting remote places. 

One day he told his brother that he was going to leave 
liim ; that he wished to visit the habitations of men and pro- 
cure a wife. Bokwewa objected to his going; but hisbrotlier 
overruled all that he said, and he finally departed on his trav- 
els. He travelled a long time. At length he fell in with the 
footsteps of men. They were moving by encampments, for 
he saw several places where they had encamped. It was in 
the winter. He came to a place where one of their number 
had died. They had placed the corpse on a scaffold. He 
went to it and took it down. He saw that it was the corpse 
of a beautiful young woman. '* She shall be my wife !" lie 
exclaimed. 

He took her up, and placing her on his back, returned to 



104: ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 

his brother. " Brother," he said, "cannot you restore her to 
life? Oh, do me that favor !" Bokwewa said he would try. 
He performed numerous ceremonies, and at last succeeded in 
restoring her to life. They lived very happily for some time. 
Bokwewa was extremely kind to his brother, and did every- 
thing to render his life happy. Being deformed and crippled, 
he always remained at home, while his brother went out to 
hunt. And it was by following his directions, which were 
those of a skilful hunter, that he always succeeded in return- 
ing with a good store of meat. 

One day he had gone out as usual, and Bokwewa was 
sitting in his lodge, on the opposite side of his brother's wife, 
when a tall, fine young man entered, and immediately took 
the woman by the hand and drew her to the door. She 
resisted and called on Bokwewa, who jumped up to her 
assistance. But their joint resistance was unavailing; the 
man succeed in carrying her away. In the scuffle, Bokwewa 
had his humpback much bruised on the stones near the door. 
He crawled into the lodge and wept very sorely, for he knew 
that it was a powerful Manitou who had taken the woman. 

When his brother returned, he related all to him exactly as 
it happened. He would not taste food for several days. 
Sometimes he would fall to weeping for a long time, and 
appeared almost beside himself. At last he said he would go 
in search of her. Bokwewa tried to dissuade him from it, 
but he insisted. 

" Well!" said he, " since you are bent on going, listen to 
my advice. You will have, to go south. It is a long distance 
to the residence of your captive wife, and there are so many 
charms and temptations in the way, I am afraid you will be 
led astray by them, and forget your errand. For the people 
whom you will see in that country do nothing but amuse 
themselves. They are very idle, gay, and effieminate, and I 
am fearful they will lead you astray. Your journey is beset 



ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 105 

with difficulties. I will mention one or two things, which 
you must be on your guard against. In the course of your 
journey, you will come to a large grapevine lying across your 
way. You must not even taste its fruit, for it is poisonous. 
Step over it. It is a snake. You will next come to some- 
thing that looks like bear's fat, transparent and tremulous. 
Don't taste it or you will be overcome by the pleasures of 
those people. It is frog's eggs. These are snares laid by the 
way for you." 

He said he would follow the advice, and bid farewell to 
his brother. After travelling a long time, he came to the 
enchanted grape vine. It looked so tempting, he forgot his 
brother's advice and tasted the fruit. He went on till he 
came to the frog's eggs. The substance so much resembled 
bear's fat that he tasted it. He still went on. At length he 
came to a very extensive plain. As he emerged from the 
forest the sun was setting, and cast its scarlet and golden shades 
over all the plain. The air was perfectly calm, and the whole 
prospect had the air of an enchanted land. The most invit- 
ing fruits and flowers spread out before the eye. At a dis- 
tance he beheld a large village, filled with people without 
number, and as he drew near he saw women beating corn in 
silver mortars. When they saw him approaching, they cried 
out, "Bokwewa's brother has come to see us." Throngs of 
men and women gaily dressed, came out to meet him. He 
was soon overcome by their flatteries and pleasures, and he 
was not long afterward seen beating corn with their women 
(the strongest proof of effeminacy), although his wife, for 
whom he had mourned so much, was in that Indian metropolis. 

Meantime, Bokwewa waited patiently for the return of his 
brother. At length, after tlie lapse of several years, he set 
out in search of him, and arrived in safety among the luxuri- 
ant people of the South. He met with the same allurements 
on the road, and the same flattering reception that his brother 



106 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 

did. But he was above all temptations. Tiie pleasures he 
saw had no other effect upon him than to make him i egret 
the weakness of mind of those who were led away by them. 
He shed tears of pity to see that his brother had laid aside the 
arms of a hunter, and was seen beating corn witli the women. 

He ascertained where his brotlier's wife remained. After 
deliberating some time, he went to the river where she usually 
came to draw water. He there changed himself into one of 
those hair snakes which are sometimes seen in running water. 
When she came down, he spoke to her, saying, " Take me up ; 
I am Bokwewa." She then scooped him out and went home. 
In a short time the Manitou who had taken her away asked 
her for water to drink. She handed him the water contain- 
ing the hair snake, which he drank with the snake, and soon 
after was a dead Manitou. 

Bokwewa then resumed his former shape. He went to his 
brother, and used every means to reclaim him. But he would 
not listen. He was so much taken up with the pleasures and 
dissipations into which he had fallen, that he refused to give 
them up, although Bokwewa, with tears, tried to convince 
him of his foolishness, and to show him that those pleasures 
could not endure for a long time. Finding that he was past 
reclaiming, Bokwewa left him and disappeared forever. 



ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 107 



The Stone Canoe. 



There was a very beautiful young girl, who died sud- 
denly on the day she was to have been married to a hand- 
some young man. He was also brave but his heart was not 
proof against this loss. From the hour she was buried, there 
was no more joy or peace for him. He went often to visit 
the spot where the women had buried her, and sat musing 
there, when, it was thought by some of his friends, he would 
have done better to try to amuse himself in the chase, or on 
the war-path. But war and hunting had lost their clinrms. 
His heart was already dead within him. He pushed aside 
his war-club and his bow and arrows. 

He had heard the old people say that there was a path that 
led to the land of souls and he determined to follow it. He 
accordingly set out one morning, after having completed his 
preparations for the journey. At first he hardly knew which 
way to go. He was only guided by the tradition that he 
must go south. For a while he could see no change in the 
face of the country. Forests, and hills, and valleys, and 
streams had the same looks which they wore in his native 
place. There was snow on the ground when he set out, and 
it was sometimes seen to be piled and matted on the thick 
trees and bushes. At length it began to diminish, and finally 
disappeared. The forest assumed a more cheerful appear- 
ance, and the leaves put forth their buds, and before he was 
aware of the completeness of the change, he found himself 
surrounded by spring. He had left behind him the land of 
snow and ice. The air became mild ; the dark clouds of win- 
ter had rolled away from the sky ; a pure field of blue was 



108 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 

above him, and as he went he saw flowers beside his path, 
and heard the songs of birds. By tliese signs he knew that 
he was ^oing the right way, for they agreed with the tradi- 
tions 01 his tribe. At length he spied a path. It led him 
through a grove, then up a long and elevated ridge, on the 
very top of which he came to a lodge. At the door stood an 
old man with white hair, whose eyes, though deeply sunk, 
had a fiery brilliancy. He had a long robe of skins thrown 
loosely around his shoulders, and a staff in his hands. It was 
Chebiabos. 

The young Chippewa began to tell his story ; but the ven- 
erable chief arrested him before he had proceeded to speak 
ten words. " I have expected you," he replied, "and had 
just risen to bid you welcome to my abode. She whom you 
seek passed here but a few days since, and being fatigued 
with her journey, rested herself here. Enter my lodge and be 
seated, and 1 will then satisfy your inquiries, and give you 
directions for your journey from this point." Having done 
this they both issued forth to the lodge door. " You see 
yonder gulf," said he, " and the wide stretching blue plains 
beyond. It is the land of souls. You stand upon its borders, 
and my lodge is the gate of entrance. But you cannot take 
your body along. Leave it here with your bow and arrows, 
your bundle and your dog. You will find them safe on your 
return." So saying, he re-entered the lodge, and the freed 
traveller bounded forward as if his feet had suddenly been 
endowed with the power of wings. But all things retained 
their natural colors and shapes. The woods and leaves, and 
streams and lakes, were only more bright and comely than he 
had ever witnessed. Animals bounded across his path with 
a freedom and a confidence which seemed to tell him there 
was no blood shed here. Birds of beautiful plumage inhab- 
ited the groves and sported in the waters. There was but 
one thing in which he saw a very unusual effect. He noticed 



ANNALS OF FOKT MACKINAC. 109 

that his passage was not stopped by trees or other objects. 
He appeared to walk directly through them. They were, in 
fact, but the souls or shadows of material trees. He became 
sensible that he was in a land of shadows. AVhen he had 
travelled half a day^s journey, through a country which was 
continually becoming more attractive, he came to the banks 
of a broad lake, in the center of which was u large and l)eau- 
tiful island. He found a canoe of shining white stone, tied 
to the shore. He was now sure that he had come the right 
path, for the aged man had told him of this. There were 
also shining paddles. He immediately entered the canoe and 
took the paddles in his hands, when to his joy and surprise^ 
on turning round, he beheld the object of his search in an- 
other canoe, exactly its counterpart in everything. She had 
exactly imitated his motions, and they were side by side. 
They at once pushed out from the shore and began to cross the 
lake. Its waves seemed to be rising, and at a distance looked 
ready to swallow them up ; but just as they entered the 
whitened edge of them they seemed to melt away, as if they 
were but the images of waves. But no sooner was one wreath 
of foam passed, than another, more threatening still, rose up» 
Thus they were in perpetual fear; and what added to it, was 
the clearness of the water ^ through which they could see heaps 
of beings who had perished before, and whose bones lay 
strewed on the bottom of the lake. The Master of Life had, 
however, decreed to let them pass, for the actions of neither 
of them had been bad. But they saw many others struggling 
and sinking in the waves. Old men and young men, males 
and females of all ages and ranks were there ; some passed 
and some sank. It was only the little children whose canoes 
seemed to meet no waves. At length, every difficulty wa& 
gone, as in a moment, and they both leaped out on the happy 
island. They felt that the very air was food. It strength- 
ened and nourished them. They wandered together over the 



110 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 

blissful fields, where evci^tliing was formed to please the eye 
and tlie ear. There were no tempests — there was no ice, no 
chilly winds — no one suffered for the want of warm clothes ; 
no one suffered for hunger — no one mourned the dead. They 
saw no graves. They heard of no wars. There was no hunt- 
ing of animals, — the air itself was their food. Gladly would 
the young warrior have remained there forever, but he 
was obliged to go back for his body. He did not see the 
Master of Life, but he heard His voice in a soft breeze. " Go 
back," said this voice, "to the land from whence you came. 
Your time has not yet come. The duties for which I made 
you, and which you are to perform, are not yet finished. 
Return to your people and accomplish the duties of a good 
man. You will be the ruler of your tribe for many days. 
The rules you must observe will be told you by my messen- 
ger, who keeps the gate. When he surrenders back your 
body, lie will tell you what to do. Listen to him, and you 
shall afterwards rejoin the spirit, which you must now leave 
behind. She is accepted, and will be ever here, as young 
and as happy as she was when I first called her from the land 
of snow, hunger and tears." 



ANNALS OF FOliT MACKINAC. Ill 



The Enchanted Moccasins. 



On Mackinac Island there lived a little boy, alone with his 
older orphan sister. They saw beasts, and birds, the sky 
above and the earth beneath, and the waters around them, 
but there were no human beings beside themselves. The boy 
often retired to think, in lone places, and the opinion was 
formed that he had supernatural powers. She supposed that 
he would perform some extraordinary exploits, and he was 
called On we Bahmondoong, or He that carries a Ball on 
his Back. As he grew up he was impatient to know whether 
there were any other human beings ; she replied that there 
w^ere, but they lived in a remote distance. There was a large 
village of hunters and warriors. Being now well grown, he 
determined to seek his fortune, and asked her to make him 
several pairs of moccasins to last him on the journey. With 
this request she complied. Then taking his bow and arrows, 
and his war club, and a little sack containing his nawappo^ 
or travelling victuals, he immediately set out on his journey. 
He travelled on, not knowing exactly where he went. Hills, 
plains, trees, rocks, forests, meadows, spread before him. 
Sometimes he killed an animal, sometimes a bird. The deer 
often started in his path. He saw the fox, the bear and the 
ground-hog. The eagles screamed above him. The ducks 
chattered in the ponds and lakes. He lay down and slept 
when he was tired, he rose up when he was refreshed. At 
last he came to a small wigwam, and, on looking into it; dis- 
covered a very old woman sitting alone by the fire. As soon 
as she saw the stranger, she invited him in, and thus addressed 
iiim : ^^My poor grandchild, I suppose you are one of those 



112 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 

who seek for the distant village, from which no person has 
ever yet returned. Unless jonr guardian is more powerful 
than the guardian of jour predecessors, you too will share a 
similar fate of theirs. Be careful to provide yourself with 
the Ozhebahguhnun — the bones they use in the medicine 
dance — without whicli you cannot succeed." After she had 
thus spoken, she gave him the following directions for his 
journe3^ " When you come near to the village which you 
seek, you will see in the center a large lodge, in whicii the 
chief of the village, who has two daughters, resides. Before 
the door you will see a great tree, which is smooth and des- 
titute of bark. On this tree, about the height of a man from 
the ground, a small lodge is suspended, in which these two 
daughters dwell. It is here so many have been destroyed. 
Be wise, my grandchild and abide strictly by my directions." 
The old woman then gave him the Ozhebahguhnun, which 
would cause his success. Placing them in his bosom, he con- 
tinued his journc}^, till at length he arrived at the sought-for 
village ; and, as he was gazing around him, he saw both the 
tree and the lodge which the old woman had mentioned. 
Immediately he bent his steps for the tree, and approaching, 
he endeavored to reach the suspended lodge. But all his ef- 
forts were vain ; for as often as he attempted to reach it, the 
tree began to tremble, and soon shot up so that the lodge could 
hardly be perceived. Foiled as he was in all his attempts, he 
thought of his guardian and changed himself into a small 
squirrel, that he might more easily accomplish his design. 
He then mounted the tree in quest of the lodge. After 
climbing for some time, he became fatigued, and panted for 
breath ; but, remembering the instructions which the old 
woman had given him, he took from his bosom one of the 
bones, and thrust it into the trunk of the tree on which he 
eat. In this way he quickly found relief ; and, as often as 
he became fatigued he repeated this ; but whenever he came 



ANNALS OF FOKT MACKINAC. 113 

near the lodge and attempted to touch it the tree would shoot 
up as before, and place the lodge beyond his reach. At 
length, the bones being exhausted, he began to despair, for 
the earth had long since vanished from his sight. Summon- 
ing all resolution he determined to make another effort to 
reach the object of his wishes. On he went ; yet, as soon as 
he came near the lodge and attempted to touch it, the tree 
again shook, but it had reached the arch of heaven and could 
go no higher; so now he entered the lodge and beheld the 
two sist-ers sitting opposite each other. He asked their names. 
The one on his left hand called herself Azhabee,* and the 
one on the right Negahnahbee.f Whenever he addressed 
the one on his left hand, the tree would tremble as before 
and settle down to its former position. But when he ad- 
dressed the one on his right hand, it would again shoot up- 
ward as before. When he thus discovered that, by address- 
ing the one on his left hand, the tree would descend, he con- 
tinued to do so until it had resumed its former position ; then 
seizing his war club he thus addressed the sisters: "You, 
who have caused the death of so many of my brothers, I will 
now put an end to, and thus have revenge for the numbers 
you have destroyed." As he said this he raised the club and 
laid them dead at his feet. He then descended, and learning 
that these sisters had a brother living with their father, wha 
would pursue him for the deed he had done, he set off at ran- 
dom, not knowing whither he went. Soon after the father 
and mother of the young women visited their lodge and 
found their remains. They immediately told their son, Mud- 
jikewis, that his sisters had been slain. He replied, " The- 
person who has done this must be the Boy that carries the- 
Ball on his Back. I will pursue him and have revenge for 
the blood of my sisters." " It is well, my son," replied the 
father. "The spirit of your life grant you success. I coun- 

*One who sits behind. f One who sits before. 



114 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 

sel you to be wary in the pursuit. It is a strong spirit who 
has done this injury to us, and he will try to deceive you in 
every way. Above all, avoid tasting food till you succeed ; 
for if you break your fast before you see his blood your power 
will be destroyed." 

His son instantly set out in search of the murderer, who, 
finding he was closely pursued by the brother of the slain, 
climbed up into one of the tallest trees and shot forth his 
magic arrows. Finding that his pursuer was not turned back 
by his arrows, he renewed his flight ; and when he found 
himself hard pressed, and his enemy close behind him, he 
transformed himself into the skeleton of a moose that had 
been killed, whose flesh had come off from his bones. He 
then remembered the moccasins which his sister had given 
him, which were enchanted. Taking a pair of them, he 
placed them near the skeleton. " Go," said he to them, " to 
the end of the earth." 

The moccasins then left him and their tracks remained. 
Mudjikewis at length came to the skeleton of the moose, when 
he perceived that the track he had long been pursuing did 
not end there, so he continued to follow it up, till he came to 
the end of the earth, where he found only a pair of moccasins. 
Mortified that he had been outwitted by following a pair of 
moccasins instead of the object of his revenge, he bitterly 
complained, resolving not to give up the pursuit, and to be 
more wary and wise in scrutinizing signs. He then called to 
mind the skeleton he met on his way, and concluded that it 
must be the object of his search. He retraced his steps to- 
wards the skeleton, but found, to his surprise, that it had dis- 
appeared, and the tracks of Onwe Bahmondoong, or He 
who carries the Ball, were in another direction. He now be- 
came faint with hunger, and resolved to give up the pursuit; 
but when he remembered the blood of his sisters, he deter- 
mined again to pursue. 



ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 115 

The other, finding he was closely pursued, now changed 
hinaself into a very old man with two daughters, who lived 
in a large lodge in the center of a beautiful garden, which 
was filled with everything that could delight the eye or 
was pleasant to the taste. He made himself appear so 
very old as to be unable to leave his lodge, and had his daugh- 
ters to bring him food and wait on him. The garden also 
had the appearance of ancient occupancy, and was highly 
cultivated. 

His pursuer continued on till he was nearly starved and 
ready to sink. He exclaimed, "Oh ! I will forget the blood 
of my sisters, for 1 am starving ;" but again he thought of 
the blood of his sisters, and again he resolved to pursue, and 
be satisfied with nothing but his revenge. 

He went on till he came to the beautiful garden. He ap- 
proached the lodge. As soon as the daughters of the owner 
perceived him, they ran and told their father that a stranger 
approached the lodge. Their father replied, " Invite him in, 
my children, invite him in." They quickly did so; and by 
the command of their father, they boiled some corn and pre- 
pared other savory food. Mudjikewis had no suspicion of 
the deception. He was faint and weary with travel, and felt 
that he could endure fasting no longer. Without hesitancy, 
he partook heartily of the meal, and in so doing was overcome. 
All at once he seemed to forget the blood of his sisters, and 
even the village of his nativity. He ate so heartily as to pro- 
duce drowsiness, and soon fell into a profound sleep. Onwe 
Bahmondoong watched his opportunity, and, as soon as he 
found his slumbers sound, resumed his youthful form. He 
then drew the magic ball from his back, which turned out to 
be a heavy war club, with one blow of which he put an end 
to his pursuer and thus vindicated his title as, — Wearer of 
the Magic Ball. 



^ounj^ 




ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. H^ 



ANCIENT MICHILIMAKINAC, 



Mishinimakina, in the locative case, liishinima- 
hinang^ — " at the great uplifted bow," " at the great 
hanging arch," — is the Indian name of the Island of 
Mackinac. {See Yol. 2, of Kelton's "Indian Names 
of Places Kear the Great Lakes.") 



The term " Michilimackinac, or " the country of Michili- 
mackinac," was by the early French applied to a large 
portion of the eastern half of the Upper Peninsula of 
Michigan. 

Gradually the term was restricted to the French and 
Indian settlements on either side of the strait, and finally 
to the Island of Mackinac. 



The French La Pointe de St. Ignace had likewise a 
broader signification than the present Point St. Ignace ; it 
was applied to the whole of the little peninsula whose base 
may be defined by drawing a line due west from the mouth 
of Carp River to Lake Michigan. Our map shows only 
the southern half of it. 



120 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 

EARLIEST INHABITANTS. 

"The "Ancient-miners" of upper Michigan, probably 
connected with the "Mound-builders" of the Mississippi 
Yalley, and with the Toltecs and Aztecs, may have liad an 
agricultural outpost at St. Ignace. The vestiges of a mound 
have been traced in the neighborhood of Point La Barbe. 
No tradition, however, referring to that people is found 
among our Indians. The earliest inhabitants known to the 
latter were the Mishhiimakinago^ i. e.^ "the people of 
Mish in imakin a. ' ' 

According to the statement of a few still surviving, at the 
time of the French occupation, that tribe was nearly exter- 
minated by the Iroquois, in retaliation for a raid made by 
them into the country of the latter. 




ANCIENT MICHILIMAKINAO. 121 



EARLY FRENCH VISITORS, AND TRANSIENT 
INDIAN SETTLERS. 

John Nicolet, on his remarkable journey from Canada to 
Green Bay — about 1634 — was undoubtedly the first white 
man that saw the Island of Mackinac, and, coasting around 
the little peninsula, entered Lake Michigan. 

From the meagre account left of his journey, nothing can 
be gleaned regarding the inhabitants of the Mackinac country 
at that period. 

But whatever Indian population that intrepid traveler may 
have met there, the whole neighborhood was deserted twenty 
years later, when the ascendancy gained by the Iroquois in 
consequence of their destructive onslaught on the Hurons 
(1649), had compelled all the little Algonquin clans on Lake 
Huron to seek safer quarters on Lake Superior and Green 
Bay. In 1651, or perhaps the year following, the small 
tribe of Tionontate Hurons, on their flight before the Iro- 
quois, reached Mackinac, and deeming the island a safe re- 
treat, held it for about two years ; but being deceived in their 
expectation, retreated to the islands at the mouth of Green 
Bay, and later on, to its head. 

Some of the old clearings which dot the wooded part of 
Mackinac Island may date back to that period, for the Tion- 
ontates were tillers of the soil. In the autumn of 1654, two 
young Frenchmen, convoyed by Indians, passed Mackinac, 
on their way to Green Bay. They repassed the island in the 
summer of 1656, with fifty canoes laden with fur for the 
Canada market, and manned by 'Q.ve hundred Hurons and 
Algonquins. 

The next Frenchman known to have passed the strait was 
Nicolas Perrot, to whose Memoirs we are indebted for a 



122 ANNALS OF FOKT MACKINAO 

portion of what we know of those early times. He made 
his first journey to Green Bay about 1665. * From that date 
down to the end of the century, Perrot was a frequent visi- 
tor at Mackinac, and on some occasions played a conspicuous 
part in the transactions between his countrymen and the In- 
dians at that post. At length the Black Gown arrived. 
Father Claude Allouez was the first of the Jesuit mission- 
aries who saw the far-famed island. He had left La Pointe 
dub St. Esjprit on Lake Superior in the summer of 1669, and 
started from Sault Ste. Marie, November 3rd, with two French 
companions and some Pottawatomie Indians. From Novem- 
ber 5th to 11th, he lay wind and snow-bound on "Little St. 
Martin's Island," to which he probably gave its name, the 
day of his departure being St. Martin's day. Crossing over 
from " Big St. Martin's Island " to the opposite shore, he 
met two Frenchmen and a few Indians, who endeavored in 
vain to make him desist from his intended visit to Green 
Bay, so late in the season. 

While coasting along the shore, with the island in view, 
the missionary listened with pleasure to the recital, by his 
Indian companions, of some of the legends which the author 
of Hiawatha has put into English verse. Hiawatha is the 
Mena-bosho, or Nena-bosho, of the Algonquins ; and the 
Island of Mackinac was considered as his birthplace ; and 
again, after the flood, as the locality where that civilizer of 
mankind, observing a spider weaving its web, invented the 
art of fishing with gill-nets. Father Allouez reached the 
head of Green Bay after a month's journey full of hardship 
and peril. 



ANCIENT MICIIILIMAKINAC. 123 



THE MISSION OF ST. IGNATIUS^FATHER MAR- 
QUETTE— HIS CHAPEL. 

In the fall of 1670, Father Claude Dablon, in his capacity 
as Superior of the Jesuits on the i:pper lakes, selected the 
point north of the strait, then first called La Pointe de St. 
Ignace, as the site of a new missionary establishment in the 
place of the mission at Za Pointe du St Esprit^ on Lake 
Superior, then on the point of being abandoned. One of 
the fathers, most likely Dablon himself, spent the winter on 
the spot, in all probability within the limits of the present 
village of St. Ignace, and put up some provisional buildings. 

A few Indians only, wintered in the neighborhood, but new 
and permanent settlers were expected ; first of all the wander- 
ing Tionontate Hurons. Leaving Green Bay, 1656 or 1657, 
that remarkable clan, then consisting of about 500 souls, had 
reached the Upper Mississippi, and after many adventures 
and reverses, finall}^ settled on the Bay of Shagawamigong — 
now Ashland Bay, Wis. — where Father Allouez met them 
in 1665. Since the autumn of 1069, they had been under 
the care of Father Marquette, who w^s now (1671) to accom- 
pany them back to the Mackinac country. 

The party arrived at St. Ignace towards the end of June, 
at the earliest, for at the great gathering of Indians and 
French in Sault Ste. Marie, June 14th, they had not yet 
reached the Rapids. 

The exact site of Father Marquette's temporary chapel 
and hut (cabane) is not known. It appears, however, from 
some incidental remarks in that Father's report and in a later 
Relation^ that those humble buildings stood at some, though 
not a very considerable, distance from the Huron fort near 
which the second .church was built. On December 8th, 



124 AKNALS OF FOKT MACKINAC. 

1672, Joliet arrived with orders from the Governor of New 
France and the Superior of the Jesuits in Quebec for Father 
Marquette, to accompany him on his journey of discovery. 

The party spent the winter in St. Ignace, and started May 
ITth, 1673. At that time the Hurons in St. Ignace num- 
bered 3S0 souls. 

Some 60 Otawas of the Sinago clan had lately joined them. 



THE HURON FORT.— SECOND CHURCH. 

In the second year of Marquette's stay, the Tionontates 
began to build their fort or palisaded village. According to 
LaHontan's plan, it occupied about the middle of the level 
ground surrounding East Moran Bay. And there it re- 
mained until the Hurons' departure for Detroit, about 1702. 
Soon after Marquette's departure. Fathers Henry Nouvel and 
Philip Pierson, abandoning the old site, built a substantial, 
though small, church and an adjoining residence, protected, 
after the fashion of the times, by a palisade enclosure. In 
this new church Father Marquette's remains were interred, 
June 9th, 1677. 

There can be no doubt about its position. The Jesuits' re 
port of 1678 places it in close proximity to the Huron fort. 
So does LaHontan, in 1688. His plan shows it south of the 
fort or village, from which he says : " It is only separated 
by a palisade enclosure." 

And there it undoubtedly remained until its destruction 
by fire, about 1706. 



ANCIENT MICHILIMAKINAC. 



125 



ALGOlS'QUm VILLAGE AJ^D CHUKCH. 

Soon after Marquette's departure, several clans of Otawas 
and kindred tribes — all comprised by the missionaries under 
the name of Algonquins — made their appearance and settled 
(»n the shore of Lake Huron, a little over two miles from the 
Jesuits' residence, -accordingly near the bluff called by the 
Lidians the '' She Eabbit," south of the " He Eabbit," or 
" Sitting Eabbit " (Rabbit's Back). Here too a church, and a 
dwelling house for the Otawa missionary, were built. Ac- 
cording to Hennepin, who officiated in it, it was covered with 
bark. In 1679, LaSalle honored it with his visit. Of it& 
later history nothing is known. Besides a floating popula- 
tion, sometimes not inconsiderable, the "x\lgonquin village "^ 
contained, in 1677, as many as 1300 souls, the principal clan 
being that of the Kishkako. 




126 ANNALS OF FUUT MACKINAC. 



REMOYAL OF THE ALGONQUIN VILLAGE. 

. LiiHontan, who visited St. Ignace in tlie spring of 1688, 
is client about tiiat cliurcli and settlement, but places an 
Otawa village in the immediate neighborhood of the Hurons, 
on East Moran Bay, stating at the same time that during his 
stay, the Otawas, apprehending some trouble with their 
Huron friends, began to fortify themselves on a neighboring 
bluff. From this it would appear that the Algonquins, or 
Otawas — a name then applied to most of the northwestern 
Algonquins — had, within the last few years, moved about 
two miles south. The former presence of an Indian popula- 
tion on the bluff above that part of St. Ignace popularly 
called " Vide PoclieJ^ is proved by the numerous articles of 
Indian and French manufacture ploughed ujd there by some 
of the present settlers. Tlie local tradition also places a fort 
on that higlit. 




ANCIENT MICHILIMAKINAO. 127 



THE OTAWA YILLAGE AT GEOS CAP. 

In 1677, or shortly before, another body of Algonqnins — 
Otawas properly so called — came to swell the Indian popula- 
tion of St. Ignace. 

They settled, it appears, on the shore of Lake Michigan, 
between Point La Barbe and Gros Cap. Tliis assumption 
seems necessary to reconcile the statements, in the Jesuits^ 
report of 1678, regarding the respective distances between 
their residence (near the Huron village) and the two Indian 
settlements, the Algonquin village and the " New Otawa 
village." The existence of a large Otawa settlement near 
Gros Cap, in 1699, is certain from the account given by the 
Missionary Buisson de St. Come of his journey from Macki- 
nac to the Lower Mississippi. The party, of which the 
noble Tonty was one, sent their canoes around the point to 
the Otawa village, and walked themselves across the "port- 
age." The village counted then about 1500 souls. 

In 1702, these Otawas followed Cadillac, with the bulk of 
the Indian population of St. Ignace, to his new establish- 
ment on the Detroit river, but soon returned to their old 
quarters, and finally went over to the northwestern shore of 
Lower Michigan, where their descendants are still living. It 
was during their second stay on West Moran Bay that the 
famous trader who left his name to it lived among them. 
The remains of their dead, together with wampum, glass 
beads and other articles of Indian and French manufacture, 
are frequently found in the sandy ground at the head of the 
little Bay. 



128 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 



ST. FRANCIS BORGIA'S CHAPEL. 

For the accommodation of the two settlements — the 
Algonquin Tillage on Lake Huron, and the new Otawa 
Village on Lake Michigan — Father Henry Nouvel built a 
church of bark at a distance of about two and a half miles 
from the residence and church of St. Ignatius ; and, in 
honor of the first general of the society "who sent mission- 
arics to America, named it the church of St. Francis Borgia. 
There, with Father Enjalran, he passed the winter of 1677-8, 
in a wigwam adjoining the chapel, receiving and instructing 
daily frequent visitors from both villages. We do not know 
how long that chapel remained in use. 

Duluth, who spent the winter of 1680-1 in St. Ignace, 
still gives Father Enjalran the title of missionary of St. 
Francis Borgia. 

The (surmised) removal of the Algonquins from the Rab- 
bit Buttes must have made the position of the chapel isolated, 
as it was no longer on the thoroughfare between the two 
settlements. 



THE FRENCH TILLAGE. 

The presence of French settlers at St. Ignace, is first men- 
tioned at the occasion of Father Marquette's burial. Accord- 
ing to the report of the following year (1678), the singing at 
the church of St. Ignatius was alternately in Latin, Huron and 
French. The fur and corn trade kept pace with the increase 
of the Indian population. LaSalle's arrival on the Griffon 
(1679), caused quite a stir in the commercial metropolis of 



ANCIENT MICHILIMAKINAC. 



129 



the West, for nothing less than that the village of St. Ignace 
was, and remained, until supplanted by Detroit. Hennepin, 
who wintered at the post (16S0-1), mentions his enrolling 
forty-two traders into a religious confraternity. LaHontan 
locates the houses of the French settlers in two or three rows 
along the bend of the shore, south of the Jesuits' residence. 
As a matter of course, the whole French population, with the 
exception of a few lawless coureurs de hois^ disappeared 
with the removal of the Indians to Detroit. 




ANCIENT NAMES OF RIVERS, LAKES, ETC. 



Lake Ontario. — Champlain called it " Lao St. Louis / " 
Count de Frontenac, in 1674, called it " Ontario ;^^ on San- 
son's map, 1679, it appears '^Ontario ou Img de St. Louis ; " 
it had also the name '^ Frontenac ; ^^ Hennepin called it 
*' Ontario or Frontenao ;^^ Tonti and Father Membre call it 
^' Lake Frontenac ;'^ on De L' Isle's maps, 1700 and 1703, it 
appears as " Lao Ontario. ^"^ 

Lake Erie. — This name, says Mr. Baldwin, was derived 
from the tribe of Fries, on the south shore ; the same tribe 
was also called the Gat nation. Hennepin called it " Erie^'' 
also ^'Conty; " and Sanson's map, 1679, gives it " Erie Lac ; " 
Membre called it ^^ de Conty^^^ De L'Isle's maps give it 
*< Lao Erie:' 

Lake Huron. — Champlain called it " Mer Douce ; " 
Father Membre, as well as Hennepin, called it '^ Lake 
Orleans ;'' De L'Isle maps, 1703 and 1718, give it ^' Lac 
Huron ou Michigane ; " on his map of 1700, it appears as 
" L. des Hurons:' 

Lake Superior. — Marquette's map gives it " Lac Superieur 
ou de Tracy ; " Hennepin called it " Lake Conde ; " on De 
L'Isle's maps it is " Lac Superieur / " Senex's map, 1719, 
and Coxe's of 1721, call it ^^ NadouessiansP 

Lake Michigan. — Marquette, Dablon, and LaSalle, called 
it the lake of the "'llinois;'' Claude Allouez, in 1676, 
reached this lake on the eve of St. Joseph ; he said " we 
give it the name of that great Saint, and shall henceforth 

131 



132 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 

call it " Lake St. Joseph; " Allouez was tlie first to give 
it the name of ^'Zake Machihiganing ; " LaSalle and Father 
Membre call it ''Lake Dauphin;^'' St. Cosmo called it 
''Miesitgan,^^ and also '' Missigan ; ^^ Marest was one of the 
first to call it Lake Michigan. 

KoTE. — The name as spelled by Allouez comes nearest the 
Indian pronounciation, which is Mashiiganing or Mishii- 
ganing, the double i being pronounced e-e. 

The term signifies " a clearing," and was first applied to 
the north-.western shores of Lower Michigan where there 
were large ancient clearings. 

Lake St. Clair. — Hennepin wrote it ''St. Clare ;" on the 
map of De L'Isle, of 1700, it is "L. de Ste. Claire f' on his 
maps of 1703 and 1718, it appears "Lao Ganatchio ou Ste. 
Claire."*^ Shea says "it received its name in honor of the 
founder of the Franciscan nuns, from the fact that LaSalle 
reached it on the day consecrated to her." 

Mississippi River. — One or more of the outlets of this 
river was discovered in the year 1519, by the Spanish officer, 
Don Alonzo Alvarez Pineda / he named the river "Rio 
del Espiritu SantoP De Soto named it "El Rio Grande 
del Florida^ Marquette, on his map, gave it the name 
" de la Conception ; " he also used the name Missipi. 

LaSalle, Membre, Hennepin, and Douay called it the " Col- 
bert ;^^ Joutel said the Indians called it " Meechassippi ; ^^ 
but he called it the "Colbert or Mississippi f^ on De L'Isle's 
map it is "Mississippi " and "S. Louis f Allouez first speaks 
of it as "Messipi " and again as the "Messi-sipi ;" St. Cosme 
calls it "Micissipi.'^^ 

KoTE. — The name of the river, in the principal Algonquin 
dialects, is " Mishisibi " (pronounced Me-she-se-be) meaning 
"large river." 

The translation " Father of Waters " is a poetical license. 



ANCIENT NAMES OF RIVERS, LAKES, ETC. 133 

Missouri River. — Marquette called it the ^^PekitanoiXi^'* 
meaning muddy water; the Recollects called it ^' the River 
of Ozagesf^ Membre called it the ^'Ozagef^ on De L'lsle's 
maps, 1703, 1718, it is " le Missouri ou de R. Pekitanohi;''^ 
Coxe called it " Yellow River^'' or '^ River of the Massorites^ 

Ohio River. — Marquette called the lower Ohio ^'Ouahous- 
kigou;'^'' Joutel called it ^'Douo or Ahachaf^ from the mouth 
of the Ohio to the Wabash and up that stream was known 
as the ''^ Ouabache^'' so it was called by Membre, St. Cosme, 
and LaHontan. Above the Wabash, the Ohio was more 
particularly known as ^'■Ohio ou Belle Riviere,^'' the river 
is so called on De L'lsle's map, 1703. Evans, in 1755, calls 
'it "Ohio or Alleghany or La Belle." 

Illinois River. — Marquette speaks of it, but gave it no 
name ; on Franquelin's map it appears ^^ Riviere des Ilinois 
ou Macopinsf LaSalle called it the ^^Seignlaif^ Fathers 
Hennepin and Membre the ''^ Seignelay f^ Dablon not only 
applied to one of the upper branches of the Illinois (the 
Desplaines) the name ^'St. Louis^'^ but to the continuation, 
the Illinois itself; Coxe called it the "'Ghicagou;'^] De L'lsle's 
map, 1718, gives it "- Riv. des Ilinois.''^ 

Des Plaines River. — LaSalle, in 1G80, called the Des- 
plaines the '''Divine River f Membre and Charlevoix* did 
the same. La Salle afterward, however, called it the ^''Che- 
cagou^'' Dablon called it '•'St. Louis River^'^ including, 
perhaps, the continuation, the Illinois; Franquelin's map, 
1684, gives it ^'PeanghichiaP The river was frequently 
called the '''"Chicagouf see De L'lsle's map, 1718, and 
D'Anville's, 1755. 

Chicago, and River. — Marquette called it '^ Portage 
River f^ LaSalle applies the name '^ Cheoago'''' to this 
locality, but his Ghecago River was generally the Des- 



134 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 

plainest Franquelin's map, 1684, gives to this locality or 
river the name of ^' Cheagoum,einan^^^ and to another stream 
^'B. Chekagouf Tonty, in 1685, says that he arrived at the 
''Fort of ChecagouP St. Cosme calls it " Chikagou,'' "Chi- 
cagii^'^ ''Chicaqw,^^ and also " ChicagSP LaHontan, 1703, 
has it " ChegakouP Senex, 1710, gives it ''Checagoiif^ De 
L'Isle's maps have it " Checagou^^ also " Chicagou ;'^ Moll, 
1720, gives it " Chekakou; " Charlevoix, " CliicagouP 
Col. De Peyster speaks of it as ''Eschecagou^'* and again 
as ''Eschicagou^ a river and Fort at the head of Lake 
Michigan." Popple's atlas, 1733, has it ''Fort Miamis 
ou Ouamis;''^ Mitchell, 1755, "B. and Port CMoagou^'^ and 
Sayer & Bennett's map, 1797, says "Point Chicago BiverP 

Sandusky Bay. — On De L'Isle's map, 1718, it appears 
^'Lac 8an-doxi-ske.^'' 

Saginaw Bay. — On De L'Isle's maps, 1703 and 1718, it 
appears "Baye de Saguina^'' and "Baye Sagxiinamf Coxe 
called it the "SdkinamP 

l^OTE. — " Osaginang^'' or " Osakinang^'* is the Indian 
name, derived from " Osagi^'' or " Osaki.^^ 

The Sacs lived on the Saginaw and Titibewasse before 
removing to Wisconsin. 

Patterson^s Point. — A rocky point of land on the north 
shore of Lake Michigan, some sixty miles from Mackinac, is 
so-called, from the fact that Mr. Charles Patterson, one of 
the principal members of the Korthv^est Fur Company, with 
all his crew, was there drowned about the year 1788. 

Marquette Biver. — On De L'Isle's map, 1703, it is " B. 
Marquet;^^ Charlevoix called it "Biver Marquette^'' or 
*' Biver of the Black BobeP 

Isle Boyal^ Lake Superior. — On De L'Isle's maps, 1700 
and 1703, it appears " 1. Monong ; " Coxe calls it "MinongP 
Note. — " Minong " is the Indian name. 



ANCIENT NAMES OF EIVEKS, LAKES, ETC. 135 

MiGhilimaGkinac. — Marquette called it " Michilimalci- 
7iong;^^ Hennepin and Membre speak of it as '^ Mueili- 
makinak; " Joiitel called it " Micilimaquinay ; " De L' Isle's 
map, 1703, calls it " Isle et Habitation de MissilimakmaGP 

Note. — Marquette came nearest the Indian pronunciation 
of the word, which is " Mishinimakinang.'^^ 

The change of " n " into " Z," by the French, is frequent 
in Indian names. 

Green Bay. — Marquette called it '^ Bay of the Fetid ;^ 
Hennepin and Membre did the same. Marquette says the 
Indians called it ^' Salt Bay ; " St. Cosme called it '^ Bay of 
Fiiants;^'' on De L'Isle's maps, 1700 and 1718, it appears 
as " Baye des Puans.'^^ 

Milioaiikee River. — Membre calls it *' Melleoki / " St. 
Cosme termed it " Melwai'ik ; " on De L'Isle's map, of 1718, 
it is called " Melleki.'^^ 

]^ote. — " Minewag " is the Indian name. 

Fox River of Illinois. — Joutel, on his map, gives it "Pe- 
tescouy; " St. Cosme calls it " Pistrui ; " Charlevoix calls it 

" Pisticoui.'^^ 

Wisconsin River. — Father Marquette called it the " Mes- 
consing:^^ Hennepin quotes the Indians as calling it the 
^^Ouscotisin" or ^'Misconsin.^^ Membre called it the ^^Mes- 
concing / " St. Cosme, the " Wesconsin.'^^ 

Note. — The Indian name is " Wishkdsing,^^ the "o" having 
the nasal sound of the French " onJ^ 



136 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 



FRENCH AND BRITISH OFFICERS. 

The following named officers were at Fort Micliilimackinac 
on the dates given ; their names are the only ones (of French 
and British officers) which appear in the old and official 
records : 

1742, 12th August. 

MONS. DE BlAINVILLE, 

Commandant of Michilimackinac. 
1744, 6th January. 

MONS. DE ViVEHEVET, 

Commandant of Michilimackinac. 

1744, 11th July. 

DE RaMELIA, 

Captain and King's Commandant at Nepigon. 

1745, 11th July, and 1747, 23d May. 

DUPLESSIS DE MORAMPONT, 

King's Commandant at Cammanettigsia. 
1745, 25th August, and 1746, 29th June. 
NOYELLE, Jr., 

Second in Command at Michilimackinac. 
1745, 25th August. 

Louis de la Corne, 

Captain and King's Commandant at Michilimackinac. 

1747, 7th February, 20th June and 1st September. 

MoNs, DE Noyelle, Jr., 

Commandant of Michilimackinac. 

1748, 38th February, 1749, 11th March and 21st June. 

MoNS. Jacques Legardeur de St. Pierre, 

Captain and King's Commandant at Michilimackinac, 

1749, 27tli January. 

Louis Legardeur, 

Chevalier de Repentigny, 

Second in Command at Michilimackinac. 



FRENCH AND BRITISH OFFICERS. 137 

1749, 29th August. 

MONS. GODEFROY, 

Officer of Troops. 

1750, 34lh March, and 1753, 4th June. 

MoNS. DuPLEssis Faber, 

Captain and King's Commandant at Michilimackinac. 
Knight of the Royal and Military Order of St. Louis. 

1751, 8th October. 

MoNS. DuPLESsis, Jr., 

Second in Command at Michilimackinac. 

1752, 4th June. 

MoNS. Beaujeu de Villemonde, 

Captain and King's Commandant at Camanitigousa. 

1753, 18lh July, and 1754, 15th August. 

MoNS. Marin, 

King's Commandant, Post of La Baie. 

1758, 18th July; 1754, 8th May; 1758, 23d February, 29th June, 16th July 
and 17th October; 1759, 30th January; 1760, 25th May and 8th 
September. 
MoNs. DE Beaujeu de Villemonde, 

Captain and King's Commandant at Michilimackinac. 

1754, 8th July, and 1755, 25th May. 

MoNs. Herein. 

Captain and King's Commandant at Michilimackinac. 
1755 Bth January. 

Louis Legardeur, 

Chevalier de Repentigny, 

King's Commandant at the Sault 
1765 Mth August, 

Louis Legardeur. 

Chevalier de Repentigny, 

Lieutenant of Infantry. 
1756. 28th April. 

Charles de L'Anglade, 

Officer of Troops. 
1756, l9thJunc. 

MoNS. Hertelle Beaubaffin, 

King's Commandant at . 



138 ANNALS OF FOKT MACKINAC. 

1756, 19th July. 

MONS. COUTEROT, 

Lieutenant of Infantry. 
1758, 2d July. 

MoNS. DE L'Anglade, 

Second in Command at Michilimackinac. 
1758, 13tli July. 

Louis Legardeur, 

Chevalier de Hepentigny, 

Officer at Michilimackinac. 
1774 to 1779. 

A. S. De Peystbr, 

Major Commanding Michilimackinac and Dependencies. 

1779 to 1782. 

Patrick Sinclair. 

Major and Lieutenant-Governor, 

Commanding ]\Iichilimackinac and Dependencies. 

1782 to 1787, 10th May. 

Daniel Robertson, 

Captain Commanding Michilimackinac and Dependencies. 

1784, 31st July. 

Phil. B. Fry, 

Ensign 8th, or King's Regiment 
1784, 31st July, 

George Clowes, 

Lieutenant 8th, or King's Regiment 
1791, 15th JSTovember. 

Edward Charleton, 

Captain 5th Regiment Foot, 

Commanding Michilimackinaa 
1791, 15th November. 

J. M. Hamilton, 

Ensign 5th Regiment Foot 

1791, loth November. 

Benjamin Rocha. 

Lieutenant 5th Foot 

1791, 15th November. 

H. Headowe, 

Ensign 5th Foot 



EARLY MICHIGAN. 



The first European Settlement within the limits of the 
State of Michigan was by the French. 

In 1641, Fathers Charles Raymbaiilt and Isaac Jogues, 
upon the invitation of the Ojibwa, visited the rapids of the 
St. Mary's River. Untoward circumstances prevented the 
establishment of a mission. 

The first white men who passed the rapids, entered Lake 
Superior, and coasted along the whole extent of the south- 
ern sliore of Lake Superior, were Dcs Groseillers (famous 
for his later exploits on Hudson Bay) and another young 
Frenchman. They spent the winter of 1659-60 in Northern 
Wisconsin and Eastern Minnesota, and in the following sum- 
mer returned to Canada with three hundred Indians and 
200,000 livres' worth of fur. 

Father Renatus (Rene) Menard was the first Jesuit who 
labored for some time among the Indians in Upper Michigan. 

His stay on Keweenaw Bay lasted from October 15th, 
1660, to July 13th, 1661. About a month later he perished 
during an attempt to reach the Huron Settlement on the 
headwaters of the Black River (Wisconsin). 

In 1665, Father AUouez coasted along the south shore of 
Lake Superior on his way to Shagawamigong (Chegoime- 
gong), where he founded a mission. Its site was at the head 
of Ashland Bay, Wisconsin. 

In 1668, Father James Marquette reached the Sault, where 
he was joined by Father Claudius Dablon. The settlement 
of Michigan begins at this period. 

139 



140 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 

Under f,ne French and British dominion, the territory was- 
associated with the Canadas, but became part of the territory 
of Virginia at the close of the war of independence, although 
it was not formally occupied by the United States until 1796. 
Virginia had in tlie meantime ceded to the United States all 
of her territory northwest of the Ohio River, and Congress, 
by the historical "Ordinance of 1787," passed July 13th of 
that year, provided for its government as the "Northwest 
Territory." 

The first seat of government of the Northwest Territory 
was at Chillicothe, Ohio. By act of Congress of May 7th, 
1800, the territory was divided, preparatory to the admission 
of Ohio into the Union as a State, and the "Indiana Terri- 
tory " was erected, with the seat of government at Vincennes, 
Indiana. By act of January, 1805, the Territory of Michi- 
gan was set off from the Indiana Territory, the seat of gov- 
ernment being established at Detroit. By this act, the 
southern boundary of Michigan was fixed by a line drawn 
due east from the southerly bend or extreme of Lake Michi- 
gan until it intersects Lake Erie, and the western boundary 
through Lake Michigan and thence due north to the north- 
ern boundary of the United States. This included on the 
south a strip of territory, now forming a part of the State 
of Ohio, and did not include the northern or Upper Penin- 
sula of the now State of Michigan. 

In the year 1835, the people of Michigan took steps for 
forming a State Government. The admission of the State 
into the Union was delayed urwtil 1837, chiefly in consequence 
of a disagreement in regard to the southern boundary ; the 
State of Ohio laying claim to the strip of territory previously 
referred to, which it was claimed on the other hand was 
within the Territory of IMichigan, and whicli embraces within 
its limits the present City of Toledo. The dispute at one 
time threatened an armed collision, and military forces were 



EARLY MICHIGAN. 141 

mustered on both sides, in what is popularly known as the 
*' Toledo war." The difficulty w^s settled by the act of 
Congress of June, 1836, fixing the disputed boundary in 
accordance with the claim of Ohio, giving to Michigan, 
instead, the territory known as the Upper Peninsula. 

The seat of government remained at Detroit until 1847, 
when it was removed to Lansing. . 

The land area of the State comprises two natural divisions 
known as the Upper and Lower Peninsulas, and the adjacent 
islands. 

The Upper Peninsula contains 14,451,456 acres. 

The Lower Peninsula contains 21,677,184 acres. 

There are 179 islands included within the boundaries of 
the State, varying in area from one acre upward, their total 
area being 404,730 acres. 

Bois-Blanc Island contains 21,351 acres. 

Round Island contains 180 acres. 

Mackinac Island contains 2,221 acres. 



142 



ANNALS OF FOKT MACKINAC.' 



GOYERNORS OF MICHIGAl^. 

under french dominion, 

Samuel Ciiamplain, , 1622-1635 

U. DE MONTMAGNY, . 1636-1647 

M. d'Aillebout, 1648-1650 

M. DE Lauson 1651-1656 

M. DE Lauson (son), 1656-1657 

M. d'Aillebout, 1657-1658 

M. d'Augenson, 1658-1660 

Baron d'Avaugour, 1661-1663 

M. DE Mesey, . . . ' 1603-1665 

M. DE Courcelle. 1665-1672 

Count de Frontenac 1672-1682 

M. DE LA Barre, 1682-1685 

Marquis de Denonville, ...... 1685-1689 

Count de Frontenac 1689-1698 

M. de Callieres, 1699-1703 

M. de Vaudreuil, 1703-1725 

M. de Beauiiarnois, 1726-1747 

M. DE Galissoniere, 1747-1749 

M. DE la Jonquiere 1749-1752 

M. Du QuESNE, 1752-1755 

^M. de Vaudreuil de Cavaonac, ..... 1755-1763 



under BRITISH DOMINION. 

James Murray, 1703-1767 

Guy Carleton, " . , , 1768-1777 

Frederick IIaldimand, ' 1777-1785 

Henry Hamilton, 1785-1786 

Lord Dorchester, 1786-1796 

territorial governors. 

Northwest Territory. 

Arthur St. Clair 1796-1800 



EARLY MICHIGAN. 



143 



Indiana Territory. 
William Henry Harrison, 



1800-1805 



Michigan Territory. 

William Hull, . . 1805-1813 

Lewis Cass, 1813-1831 

George B. Porter,* 1831-1834 

Stevens T. Mason, ex officio, 1834-1835 



undbil state authority. 

Stevens T. Mason, . 
William Woodbridge, 
J. Wright Gordon,! 
John S. Barry, 
Alpheus Felch, 
William L. Greenly. f 
Epaphroditus Ransom, 
John S. Barry, 
Robert McClelland, 
Andrew Parsons,! 
Kinsley S. Bingfl\m, 
Moses Wisner, 
Austin Blair, . 
Henry H. Crapo, 
Henry P. Baldwin, 
John J. Bagley. . 
Charles M. Croswell, . 
David H. Jerome, 
Josiah W. Begole, . 
Russell A. Alger, . 



* Died while in office, July 6, 1834, 
the Territory, Stevens T. Mason. 



1835-1840 
1840-1841 
1841-1842 
1842-1846 
1846-1847 
1847-1848 
1848-1850 
1850-1852 
1852-1853 
1853-1855 
1855-1859 
1859-1861 
1861-1805 
1865-1869 
1869-1878 
1873-1877 
1877-1881 
1881-1882 
1883-1884 
1885-1886 



and was succeeded by the then Secretary of 



t Lieutenant-Governor acting as Governor, 



144 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 



HISTORICAL EVENTS, 

CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 



1534. James Cartier, a Frenchman, discovered the St. 
Lawrence River. 

1608. Samuel de Champlain founded Quebec. 

1634. Jolm Nicolet passes the straits on his way to and 
from Green Bay. 

1642. The city of Montreal founded. 

1650-51. The Indian settlers of the neighborhood to- 
gether with lai'ge numbers from Manitoulin^ Thunder Bay 
and Saginaw, mostly Otawas, intimidated by Iroquois prowess 
retire to Green Bay. 

1653. Eight hundred Iroquois warriors pass the strait. 
Failing to take the Huron fort on Green Bay after a pro- 
tracted siege, they break up, one division marching south, the 
other sailing northward. The former are cut down by the 
Illinois, the latter routed by the Ojibwa, Missisaki and Nigik 
(Otter) Indians, on Lake Huron. 

1654. Two French traders pass St. Ignace, on their way 
to Green Bay, they return in 1656 with a large trading party 

60 canoes) of Hurons and Otawas. 

1665, or earlier. Nicolas Perrot passes on his first visit to 
the Pottawatomi, on Green Bay. 

1669. N'ovember 11th, Father Allouez passed Point St. 
Ignace, on his journey from Sault Ste. Marie to Green Bay : 
he relates the following Indian tradition : 

They say that this island is the native country of one of their gods, called 
" The Great Hare," who created the earth, and that it was on this 
island that he invented the nets for taking fish, after having attentively 



HISTORICAL EVENTS. 145 

considered a spider while constructing its web for catching flies. Thej 
believe that Lake Superior is a pond made by the beavers, the banks of 
which were double ; the first, at the place which we call the Sault, the 
second, five leagues lower down. In coming up the river, they say, this 
same god first encountered the second embankment, which he tore entirely 
away ; and for this reason there are no falls or turbulent waters at these 
rapids : as for the first, being in a hurry, he only walked over it and 
trampled it to pieces, in consequence of which there still remain large 
falls and boiling waters. 

This god, they add, while pursuing a beaver in the upper lake, crossed 
at a single step, a bay eight leagues in width. In view of so powerful an 
enemy, the beavers thought it best to change their place andconsequently 
withdrew to another lake; from thence they afterward, by aid of the rivers 
that flow from it, arrived at the North Sea, intending to pass over to 
France; but finding the water bitter (salt), they lost heart, changed their 
intentions, and spread themselves among the rivers and lakes of this 
country. 

This is the reason why there are no beavers in France, and why the 
French have to come here in search of them. 

1670-71. Father Dablon, or another Jesuit (possibly 
Marquette), winters at Michilimaekinac, laying the founda- 
tion of the Mission of St. Ignatius. 

1671. End of June, or later. The Tionontate Hurons, 
with Father Marquette, arrive from Shagawamigong (Ash- 
land Bay, L. S.) 

Autumn. The Otawas of Manitoulin, on the war-path 
against the Sioux, arrive with a large supply of arms 
and ammunition lately obtained in Montreal. Joined by 
the Hurons of the new settlement, and — on Green Bay — 
by the Pottawatomies, Sacs and Foxes, they marcli through 
northern Wisconsin — a well-armed body of a thousand war- 
riors — and confidently attack the Sioux in the St. Croix 
Yalley. Utterly defeated, they retreat through the snow- 
covered woods, amidst sufferings and privations that lead to 
acts of cannibalism. The heavy loss sustained by the 
Hurons, who bravely covered the rear, accounts for the 
diminished numbers of the tribe, as stated by Marquette » 



146 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 

1672. The Hurons build their fortified village on East 
Moran Bay. December 8th, Joliet arrives and vrinters at 
St. Ignace. 

1673. May 17th, Joliet and Marquette, with five other 
Frenchmen, start on their voyage of discovery. 

1673 or '74. A large body of Otawas and other Algon- 
quins, principally Kishkakos, coming from Manitoulin and 
the opposite shore settle near Rabbit's Back. Father Henry 
Nouvel, Superior of the Otawa Missions, takes charge of 
them. Father Philip Pierson becomes pastor of the Hurons. 

1674:-76. The second and permanent church of St. Igna- 
tius and the Jesuits' residence are built at the side of the 
Huron village. 

1675. November 8th, Father Nouvel, with two French 
companions, starts on a journey to Saginaw Bay and the 
interior of Lower Michigan. He arrives near the head 
waters of Chippewa Kiver, December 7th, builds a chapel 
(the first on the Lower Peninsula), and winters with the 
hunters of the Amik (Beaver) Clan. 

1676. or thereabouts. Another large body of Otawas 
arrive and settle near Gros Cap, on Lake Michigan. 

1677. June 7th, The Kishkako Indians, accompanied by 
a number of Iroquois, bring Father Marquette's remains to 
{St. Ignace, where they are interred, on the following day, 
within the Jesuits' chapel. 

October. Father Enjalran arrives to assist Father Nouvel 
in the Otawa Mission. 

1677-78. Father Nouvel builds the chapel of St. Francis 
Borgia in the woods, between Rabbit's Back and Gros Cap. 
Himself and Father Enjalran winter there. The French 
and Indian trade begins to assume larger proportions. 



HISTORICAL EVENTS. I47 



LASALLE, HENNEPIN" AND HENRY DE TONTY 

ARRIYE AT MICHILIMACKINAC, ON 

THE "GRIFFON." 

1679. LaSalle, on his first expedition to Illinois, arrives 
and spends some days at the settlement. 

The most remarkable character among the explorers 
of the Mississippi Yallej, in the latter half of the seven- 
teenth centnry, was Robert Cavelier de LaSalle. Viewed 
in the light and sense of worldly enterprise, he is to be con- 
sidered as surpassing all others in lofty and comprehensive 
aims, in determined energy and unyielding courage, both 
moral and physical. He faltered at no laborious undertak- 
ing; no distrust by nerveless friends, no jealous envy or 
schemes of active enemies, no misfortune damped the ardor 
of his plans and movements. If there was a mountain in 
his track, he could scale it ; if a lion beset his path, he could 
crush it. Nothing but the hand of the lurking assassin 
could quench the fire of that brave heart. We may briefly 
say, that LaSalle was born in the city of Rouen, France, 
November 22, 1643. The name LaSalle was borrowed from 
an estate, in the neighborhood of Rouen, belonging to his 
family, the Caveliers. Robert was educated at one of the 
Jesuit seminaries, and as one of that order he continued a 
short time ; but in 1666, he came to America, and it is said 
that he made early exploration to the Ohio, and was possibly 
near the Mississippi before Joliet and Marquette's voyage 
hither. We can here only allude to a few items and facts in 
LaSalle's career. It was a marked incident, and so appears 
on the historic page, when LaSalle, in 1679, voyaged to 
Green Bay on the " Griffon," the first sail vessel of the lakes 
above the Falls, and which he had built on the bank of 



148 ANNALS OF FOKT MACKINAC. 

Cayuga Creek, a tributary of the Niagara. But that busi- 
nes8 trip was a mere pleasure excursion when compared with 
the efforts required of him to engineer and bring about cer- 
tain indispensable preparations, involving ways and means, 
before the keel of that renowned craft should be laid, and 
before she spread her wings to the breeze and departed out • 
ward from Buffalo Harbor of the future. And what an 
unhesitating morning- walk was that of his, in 1680, when 
he set out on foot from the Fort which (not him) they termed 
Broken Hearty where Peoria now is, to go, some twelve 
hundred miles perhaps, to Fort Frontenac, where Kingston 
now is, at the lower end of Lake Ontario. His unyield- 
ing purpose was not to be delaj^ed, but accelerated, by 
the avalanche of misfortune which had fallen on him. 
He could not wait for railroads, nor turnpikes, nor civil- 
ization : he could not even wait for a canoe navigation, 
for it was early spring — in the month of March — when 
the ice still lingered by the lake shores, and was running 
thickly in the streams. So, with one Indian and four 
white men, with a small supply of edibles, yet with a 
large stock of resolution, he took his way. The journey 
was accomplished, and he was back on Lake Michigan 
in the autumn ensuing. It has been suggested that his 
own endunng, iron nature, as it might be called — unbending 
as it was in its requirements of others — served, perhaps, to 
create enmities and to occasion the final catastrophe. It 
may have been so ; but whatever view may be taken, the 
doings of LaSalle must be called wonderful, his misfortunes 
numberless, and his death sad. The day on which LaSalle 
was killed is said to have been March 19, 1687. 



HISTORICAL EVENTS. 149 



HENRY DE TONTY. 

There is much of romantic interest in tlie life of Henry 
de Tonty which will ever attract attention to the story of 
his experience in the wilds of America. He was born in 
Naples, Italy, in or near the year 1650. In a memoir, said 
to be written by him in 1693, he says : " After having been 
eight years in the French service, by land and by sea, and 
having had a hand shot off in Sicily by a grenade, I resolved 
to return to France to solicit employment." It was at the 
time when LaSalle had returned from America, and was 
getting recruits and means for his Western enterprise. The 
prime minister of Louis XIY., he that was called the great 
Colbert, knowing the soldier Tonty well, specially provided 
that the important project to be undertaken by LaSalle should 
have the benefit of the personal aid of Tonty, who, though 
maimed and single-handed, was yet ready to go forth to dare 
and to do. Tonty says: "We sailed from Rochelle on the 
14th of July, 1678, and arrived at Quebec on the 15th of 
September following." We can not, of course, attempt to 
follow the brave and capable lieutenant of LaSalle in his 
various movements, even if we had a knowledge of them ; 
yet we may say, that if a trustful agent or manager was 
needed for any adventure by LaSalle, Tonty was the man to 
fill the requirement. If a fort was wanted, he was the 
architect and overseer to construct it ; if a peaceable envoy to 
the Indians was required, he was the gifted embassador ; if a 
tribe needed chastisement in battle, he w^as the able captain 
of the forces. We need not cite examples. Tonty was pro- 
vided with some sort of a metallic arrangement as a substi- 
tute for the loss of part of an arm ; and he was known, it is 
said, far and near, among the tribes of red men, as " Le Bras 



150 ANNALS OF FOKT MACKINAC. 

de Fer," or, The man with the iron arm. If we rightly 
remember, more than one tale has been constructed by novel- 
writers, with its scenes laid in the Far West, presenting Tonty 
as the principal character. In long time past, an island at 
the lower end of Lake Ontario was known as, and called, the 
Isle of Tonty^ being named after our hero — the man with 
the iron arm ; but the name was afterward changed to that 
of Amherst. Whatever the deserts of the titled General 
Jeffrey Amherst may have been, Henry de Tonty was the 
greater man of the two. Tonty died at Fort St. Louis, on 
Mobile Bay, in the year 1704. 



LOUIS HENNEPIK 

Louis Hennepin, a Kecollect of the order of St. Francis, 
was born at Ath, France, in 1645. He sailed for Canada 
in 1675, on the ''Saint Honore." LaSalle was, also a pas- 
senger on the same vessel. 

Hennepin left Quebec in 1678, and set out with LaSalle to 
explore the country lying south and west of Lake Michigan. 

On Cayuga Creek, a tributary of the Niagara Kiver, into 
which it empties from the American side, five miles above 
the Falls, LaSalle built the " Griffon," upon which they 
embarked, setting sail August 7th, arriving atMichilimackinac 
August 27th, 1679. 

From his minute description of the bay, the shore, etc., the 
Kev. Edward Jacker says: The Ba}^ where the "Griffon" 
anchored is that which is overlooked by two steep and rocky 
bluffs famous in Indian tradition, and called by the Indians 
"He" and "She" Kabbit. The former is known as "Rab- 
bit's Back." The Kiskakon Otawas were there in 1677. 

1679. They arrived at Green Bay September 22d, and 
from there LaSalle sent the "Griffon" back, and it is sup- 



HISTOEICAL EVEJSTS. 



151 




North Sally-Port. 



152 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 

posed to have been wrecked off the entrance to Green Bay, 
as a severe storm arose, and it did not reach Michilmackinac. 
After various mishaps Hennepin reached the Mississippi, 
which he ascended to the Falls of St. Anthony, in the spring 
of 1680. 

1680. Diilnth and Hennepin arrive from the Upper Mis- 
sissippi, by way of Green Bay. They winter at St. Ignace. 

1681. LaSalle passes St. Ignace on his second journey to 
niinois. M. De Yilleraye is appointed commandant by 
Frontenac about this time. 

1683. The fur trade declines in consequence of the 
danger of transportation, occasioned by Iroquois hostility. 
Hence distress among the traders, and dissatisfaction among 
the Indians. 

1684:. Mons. De La Durantaye in command at Michili- 
mackinac. The French and Indian forces commanded by 
De La Durantaye, with Duluth as lieutenant, and Perrot as 
" manager " of the Otawas, set out to join in De La Barre's 
inglorious expedition against the Iroquois. 

The Indian estimation of French power and valor is on the 
wane. During De La Durantaye's absence, M. De La Yal- 
trie acts as commandant. 

1685. All the French in the Upper Lake region are placed 
under the authority of the commandant of Michilimackinac 
(M. De La Durantaye). This measure remaining in force 
until the abandonment of the post. Michilimackinac, already 
the commercial emporium of the Northwest, becomes also its 
military centre 

Nicolas Perrot arrives with orders from the governor, pro- 
hibiting the Otawas to march against the Foxes on Green 
Bay. He succeeds in restoring peace between the two tribes 
through the intermediation of an Ojibwa chief, whose daugh- 
ter (a captive among the Foxes) he saves from the stake and 
restores to her father. 



HISTORICAL EVENTS. 153 

1686. Dissatisfaction among the Indians. Most of the 
clans are leaning towards the Iroquois and the English, as the 
stronger party and better able to supply their wants. The 
English endeavor to bring about a rupture by forwarding 
supplies and liquor to Michilimackinac. 

1687. De La Durantaye sets out with the French force to 
take part in Denonville's expedition against the Senecas. He 
arrests, in the neighborhood of the settlement, thirty English 
traders, and as many more on Lake Erie. The timely arrival 
of Perrot with the Green Bay Indians obviates the necessity 
of the commandant returning with the prisoners, too numer- 
ous for his safety, in a hostile neighborhood. He proceeds 
to Niagara, where the Otawas and Ilurons, marching over- 
land from Lake Huron, join him ; they take part in a victori- 
ous attack on 800 Iroquois (July). The capture of those 
English parties probably prevented the massacre of the 
French in Michilimackinac, by the Hurons and Otawas. 

1688. May. LaHontan arrives with a small force (from 
a fort near the outlet of Lake Huron), and spends a month in 
the settlement. He obtains with difficulty a supply of corn. 
The Otawas, distrusting the Hurons, fortify themselves on 
the Bluff, north of East Moran Bay. Joutel, Cavelier, and 
other survivors of LaSalle's expedition to Texas (having 
wintered on Green Bay) pass the settlement on their way to 
Quebec and France. Kondiaronk, or Le Eat, the great 
Huron chief, departs at the head of one hundred men against 
the Iroquois, but plots with them the destruction of the Ota- 
was by stratagem. The plot proves abortive, in consequence 
of Perrot and the missionaries gaining knowledge of it ; 
Le Eat confesses his guilt. Perrot, returning from the Mis- 
sissippi with three female O jibwa prisoners delivered to him 
by the Foxes, snatches five Iroquois warriors from the stake^ 
to which they were condemned by the Otawas, in spite of the 
commandant's and the missionaries' remonstrances. 



154 ANNALS OF FOKT MACKINAC. 

1689-90. The Otawas, at the iiistigatioD of the Hurona, 
resume their project of effecting a reconciliation with the 
Iroquois. They send L»ack to the Senecas the prisoners taken 
from them, and make arrangements for a meeting in the fol- 
lowing year. Fatlier De Carheil, being informed of their 
plan, warns the governor by a messenger sent in the winter. 
Frontenac prepares a large convoy to reinforce Michilimack- 
inac. 

1690. Spring. The Otawas take steps towards an alli- 
ance with the Iroquois, and — as a token of good will — medi- 
tate the massacre of the French traders. 

End of June or beginning of July. The post is saved by 
the arrival of M. De La Forte Louvigny (who relieved Du- 
rantaye as commandant), with Perrot, and with an Iroquois 
prisoner, the evidence of a victory gained on the Otawa 
River over a waylaying party (June 2d). The prisoner is 
given, for execution, to the vacillating Hurons, who, dreading 
a final breach with the Iroquois, are disposed to spare him ; 
but yielding to the commandant's peremptory order, brain 
him after a short torture. 

Ferrot, boldly haranguing the chiefs, assembled at the 
Jesuits' residence, reproaches them with their treachery, and 
endeavors to show them the folly of doubting the power 
of the French. They promise to amend. 

1691. De Courtemanche and De Repentigny arrive with 
the news of the French victory over the English fleet before 
Quebec. 

1692. Otawa and Huron warriors co-operate in driving 
the Iroquois from the St. Lawrence, and in the invasion of 
their territory by detached parties. 

August. Two hundred Otawas from Michilimackinac 
arrive at Montreal in quest of munition. 

1693. A great amount of fur is waiting transportation ; 
on account of the Iroquois infesting the Otawa, the Indians 



HISTORICAL EVENTS. 



155 




South Sally-Port„ 



156 ANNALS OF FORT MACKiNAO. 

will not venture the journey without a sufficient escort. 
Frontenac being informed, despatches the Sieur d'Argenteuil 
with orders for the commandant to send all the French he 
can spare down with the convoy. 

August 4th. Two hundred canoes from Michilimackinac, 
freighted with 80,000 francs worth of beaver, arrive at 
Montreal, together with the principal chiefs of the western 
tribes. A great council is held, and the Indians return 
charmed with the governor's manner, and laden with 
presents. 

1694. July. De Louvigny leaves for the colon}^ with a 
great convoy of furs. 

The Hurons contemplating a removal, are again suspected 
of treacherous intentions. Opposed in their purpose by the 
commandant and the Otawas, one half of the tribe consent 
to stay; the other half go to live with the Miamis on the 
St. Joseph River. (M. Tilly De Courtemanche commandant 
there, since 1693.) 

De La Porte Louvigny is superseded by De La Motte 
Cadillac, the last commandant of " Ancient Michilimackinac." 
(Louvigny becomes afterwards [1712] first commandant of 
New Michilimackinac, commonly called " Old Mackinac") 

1695. Cadillac advises the governor of the necessity of a 
grand expedition against the Iroquois in order to prevent 
the defection of the western tribes. Frontenac contents 
himself with harassing the enemy, in which he is aided by 
Michilimackinac Indians, who return with a great number 
of prisoners. 

At a great meeting of western chiefs in Montreal, Fron- 
tenac emphatically gives them to understand that they must 
look upon every French officer, residing among them, as sub- 
ject to the orders of the one in command at Michilimackinac. 

The officers in command at the several posts, at that 
period, are: Tilly De Courtemanche, D'Ailleboust De Mantet, 



HISTORICAL EVENTS. -j k/^ 

D'Ailleboust D'Argenteuil, Dc Lisle, Vincennes, La De- 
couverte, and Ferrot. 

Le Baron, a Huron chief, concludes a treaty with the 
Iroquois. Cadillac with difficulty succeeds in suspending 
its execution. An Indian deputation goes to Montreal to 
insist (as advised by the commandant) on a reduction in the 
prices of goods. Frontenac partly satisfies them. 

The French court unable to cope with the evils springing 
from the system of trading licenses, ineffectually orders the 
evacuation of the post and the return into the colony of all 
soldiers and traders {poureurs de hois), in the West. 

1696. The Hurons and some Otawas are already hunting 
with the Iroquois. 

OadiUac dispatches a war party, consisting chiefly of 
Pottawatomies and Algonquins. The Iroquois, though warned 
by the Hurons, lose thirty scalps, and thirty-two prisoners, 
who are brought to Michilimackinac. Some Hurons found 
among them are restored to their tribe. 

In consequence of the Hurons' machinations, but few 
Michilimackinac Indians take part in the campaign against 
the Onondago and Oneida. 

D'Argenteuil starts with 50 Frenchmen, but arrives too 
late. 

Le Baron, with thirty Huron families, goes to settle near 
Albany. Kondiaronk, now permanently gained over to the 
French cause by Father de Carheil, prevents the rest of the 
tribe from following them. 

1697. Fruntenac, in reply to the king's order (of 1695, 
received late in 1696), insists on the posts of Michilimacki- 
nac and St. Joseph being retained, with a garrison sufficient 
to keep off English traders (twelve or fifteen soldiers with 
an officer), and on twenty-five canoe loads of goods being 
annually sent to each place. His advice prevails in the king'e 
council. 



158 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 

Rumors of an impending war with England arriving^ 
Cadillac starts with a great number of Frenchmen, and three 
hundred Sacs, Pottawstomies, Ota was and Hurons. The}' 
arrive in Montreal towards the end of August. 

1700, September 8tli. Kondiaronk and a deputy of the 
four Otawa clans sign a provisional treaty of pe^ce with the 
Iroquois, at Montreal. 

De Courtemanche and Father Enjalran^ go to visit the 
other western tribes and persuade them to accede to the 
treaty. 

1701. Otawa hunters fight a party of Iroquois who tres- 
pass on their grounds, and bring the chief to Michilimacki- 
nac as a prisoner. 

De Courtemanche and Father Enjalran, greatly aided by 
Kondiaronk, bring their negotiations with the tribes to a suc- 
cessful issue. Father Enjalran leaves Michilimackinac in 
June, with two liberated Iroquois prisoners. Courtemanche 
starts after the arrival of the Indian delegates, with a fleet 
of 144 canoes. 

Sieur De La Motte Cadillac founded the present city of 
Detroit, building Fort Pontchartrain, near the present Jeffer- 
son avenue, Shelby and Wood bridge streets. 

At the great meeting convened at Montreal, August 1st, 
for the conclusion of peace between the Iroquois, and the 
French and their allies (Illinois, Miamis, Kickapoos, Foxes, 
Winnebagos, Pottawatomies, Menomonees, Otawas, Ojib- 
was, Hurons, Algonqnins, Abenakis and others, being repre- 
sented), Kondiaronk, almost in a dying state, makes a last 
speech of great effect. He dies the following night, and is 
buried, with great demonstrations of respect, in the principal 
church of Montreal. 

August 4th. At the last general assembly (1,300 Indians 
being present), the treaty is signed by thirty-eight deputies. 

The Otawas of Michilimackinac ask for Father Enjalran 



HISTOKICAL EVENTS. 



159 




KEV. FATHER ED'WARD JACKEB, 
Discoverer of Marquette's Grave. 



160 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 

and Nicolas Perrot, and insist on the prohibition of the 
liquor trade in their country. 

1702-3. The Hurons and a part of the Otawas, upon 
Cadillac's pressing invitation, remove to Detroit. 

1705. The remaining Otawas having broken the peace, 
DeLouvignj comes to bring them to reason. He returns to 
the colony with Iroquois prisoners given up to him by the 
Otawas. De Vincennes follows with the chiefs. They apolo- 
gize to the Iroquois, and peace is restored. 

Not a single Christian Indian remaining ; the Otawas, 
since the departure of the Hurons proving unmanageable, 
and the licentiousness of the bush-lopers {coureurs de bois) 
exceeding all bounds, the missionaries (De Carheil, Marest, 
and perhaps Enjalran) burn the church and house, and leave 
for Quebec. Governor General de Yaudreuil sends orders 
to all the French at Michilimackinac to come down to the 
colony. 

1712. Governor General de Yaudreuil sent De Louvigny 
to re-establish Fort Michilimackinac, which he did, but on 
the south shore. 

1721. Peter Francis Xavier Charlevoix at Michilimack- 
inac. 

1728. Sieur Marchand De Lignery's expedition at Mich- 
ilimackinac. 

1730. Sieur De Buisson in command at Michilimackinac. 

1759. July 24th. Fort Niagara surrendered to the 
British. 

September 18th. Quebec, the capital of New France 
(Canada), surrendered. 

1760. September 8th. Montreal, and all the French- 
Canadian territory, surrendered to the British. 

1761. September 28th. British troops first arrived at 
Michilimackinac. Captain Belfour, of the 80th Regiment, 



HISTORICAL EVENTS. 



161 



arrived from Detroit with a detachment of the 60th and 
80th Kegiments. Leaving Lieutenant Leslie, of the Royal 
American or 60th Regiment, with one sergeant, one corporal, 
one drummer, and twenty-five privates of the same regiment, 
Captain Belfour and his party, on October 1st, proceeded to 
Green Bay, Wis. 

Although the British occupied and controlled Canada, it 
was not formally ceded to Great Britain until 1763. 

The preliminaries of peace were signed at Fontainebleau, 
November 3d, 1762, between the courts of France, Spain 
and Great Britain. By the definitive treaty signed at Paris, 
February 10th, 1763, by these three great powers, together 
with Portugal, Canada was ceded to Great Britain. 

Great Britain restored to Spain the territory she had con- 
quered in the Island of Cuba ; and in consequence of this 
restitution, Spain ceded to Great Britain, Florida with Fort 
St. Augustin and the Bay of Pensacola, and all the Spanish 
possessions on the continent of Korth America, east of the 
Mississippi River. In 1783, Great Britain retroceded Florida 
to Spain. By a treaty made in 1819 (ratified in 1821), be- 
tween the United States and Spain, Florida was ceded by 
Spain to the United States, the latter paying $5,000,000. 

France, by an act passed at Fontainebleau, November 3d, 
1762, ceded the country then known as Louisiana, to Spain. 
The cession was accepted by an act passed at the Escurial, 
November 13th, of the same year. Spain retroceded Louisi- 
ana to France, by a treaty of St. Ildefonso, October 1st, 1800^ 
France ceded Louisiana to the United States in 1803, the 
latter paying $15,000,000. 



X62 ANNALS OF FOET MACKINAO. 



CONSPIKACY OF PONTIAG. 

1763. Under this conspiracy eleven posts were attacked, 
and eight captured. 

June 2d. Fort Michilimackinac was captured. The gar- 
rison consisted of Captain Etherington, Lieutenants Jamet and 
Leslie, and about thirty-five men. A band of Chippewas, 
while playing a game of ball just outside of the Fort, knocked 
the ball, as if by accident, so that it fell inside the stockade; 
the players rushed after it, and seizing their weapons from 
squaws, who had them concealed under their blankets, and 
had previously entered the Fort as a part of the plot, they 
raised the war-whoop and fell upon the garrison. Lieutenant 
Jamet and fifteen men were killed. Captain Etherington and 
Lieutenant Leslie, who were watching the game of ball, and 
*the rest of the garrison were taken prisoners ; they were after- 
wards ransomed by Lieutenant Gorelland his command from 
the Fort at Green Bay. 

1779. At noon Sunday, Oct. 3d, the new Fort at Detroit 
was named " Fort Lenault." 

Oct. 4. Lieut.-Governor Patrick Sinclair arrived at 
^'Old Mackinaw." 

Oct. 15. Major Arent Schuyler DePeyster left Old Mack- 
inaw at 5 p. M. for Detroit, on board His Majesty's armed 
sloop Welcome, Alexander Harrow, Master. 

Oct. 20. Major DePeyster arrived at Detroit at 8 a. m. • 

Saturday, JSTov. 6. Lieut.-Gov. Sinclair sent a detach- 
ment of artificers to live and work upon Mackinac Island. 
The timbers of a house for their use were carried over with 
them, on the sloop Welcome. 

Major DePeyster with a view of building a Fort there- 
upon and removing there with the garrison from Old 



HISTORICAL EVENTS. 1^3 

Mackinaw, as a measure of safety from, the Americans^ had 
previously secured a title to the Island from the Chippewa 
chief Kitchienago, who occupied it with his band. 

1780. Early in the year the timbers of the Catholic 
church at Old Mackinaw were hauled over the ice to Mack- 
inac Island and the church re-erected in what is now the old 
graveyard on Astor street. 

Oct. 22. John Donald, one of the crew of the sloop 
Welcome, while on watch, fell from the wharf at the island 
and was drowned. He was buried Oct. 24:th, at Old Mack- 
inaw. 

The first Government wharf at the island was about sev- 
enty feet west of the present one, and on the prolongation 
of the line of the old roadway which runs from in front of 
the south sally-port down through the present Fort gardens. 

The bay in front of the Fort was called "Haldimand Bay." 

Kov. 4. Lieut.-Gov. Patrick Sinclair removed from Old 
Mackinaw to Mackinac Island. 

The history of "Modern Mackinac" properly begins at 
this date. 

Nov. 30. The sloops Welcome and Angelica and the 
schooner DePeyster were laid up for the winter at the island 
wharf. 

Dec. 21. The sloop Archangel was moored astern of the 
Angelica. 

During several of the previous winters some of the Gov- 
ernment vessels were laid up in the Cheboygan River, where 
there was a house which was built for the use of the party 
in charge of the boats. 

There was also during the same period a "hay camp" on 
the Cheboygan River, where hay was cut for use at the Fort. 

1Y81. Jan. 5. The crews of the vessels removed from 
the Welcome into a block-house which they had built upon 
the island. 



164 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 

This block-house was located near tlie site of the present 
village schoolhouse. It was made of cedar timbers which 
were sawn over *' saw-pits" dug in the woods. 



When practicable in the winter of 1780-81, the troops 
were engaged in hauling over the ice from Old Mackinaw to 
the island the barracks and other buildings belonging to the 
Government. These buildings were made of cedar timbers. 
The doors, windows, bricks, provisions, et cetera^ were 
transported in boats in the fall of 1780 and in the spring 
and summer of 1781. 

During the winter of 1780-81 a detachment of soldiers 
wintered at the " Pinery," — a camp on Pine River about 15 
miles north of St. Ignace, where the British had a hay and 
wood camp. 

During the winter of 1780-81 the traders made prepara- 
tions for removing from Old Mackinaw, and in the spring of 
1781 made rafts of the timbers of their buildings and floated 
them to the island, — transporting their goods, et cetera^ by 
boats. 



1781. Thursday, May 24. First occupation of the Fort 
constructed upon the Island of Mackinac (a part only of the 
troops moving in). 

The Fort was on the site of the present one, and portions 
of it are still in a good state of preservation. 

The garrison was not entirely withdrawn from Old Mack- 
inaw until the summer of 1781, when all the Government 
property had been moved to the island. 

1783. By the definitive treaty of peace between Great 
Britain and the United States, made and signed at Paris, Sep- 
tember 3d, 1783, by David Hartley on the part of Great 
Britain, and by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John 
Jay on the part of the United States, the post of Michili- 



HISTORICAL EVENTS. 165 

mackinac fell within the boundary of the United States, but 
under various pretenses the English refused to withdraw their 
troops, and occupied it with other lake posts. 

1794. By the second article of the treaty of amity, com- 
merce and navigation, between Great Britain and the United 
States, concluded at London, England, November, 19th, 1794, 
and signed by Baron Grenville, on the part of Great Britain, 
and by Hon. John Jay, on the part of the United States 
(ratifications exchanged October 28th, 1795, and proclaimed 
February 29th, 1796), it was stipulated that from all posts 
within the boundary^ lines assigned, by the treaty of peace to 
the United States, the British troops should be withdrawn on 
or before June 1st, 1796. 

1795. By stipulation 13, article 3, of a treaty of peace 
between the United States and the tribes of Indians called 
the Wyandots, Delawares, Shawnees, Otawas, Chippewas, 
Pottawatomies, Miamis, Eel Rivers, Weas, Kickapoos, Pinke- 
shaws and Kaskaskias, made at Greenville, Ohio, on the 3d 
of August, 1795, and signed by General Anthony Wayne, on 
the part of the United States, and by the Sacliems and War- 
chiefs of the said tribes, the Indians ceded to the United 
States " the post of Michilimackinac, and all the land on the 
island on which that post stands, and the main land adjacent, 
on w^hich the Indian title has been extinguished by gifts or 
grants, to the French or English Governments ; and a piece 
of land on the main to the north of the island, to measure 
six miles, on Lake Huron, or the strait between Lakes Huron 
and Michigan, and to extend three miles back from the water 
of the lake or strait ; and also, the island " Bois Blanc," the 
latter being an extra and voluntary gift of the Chippewa 
nation." 

1796. October. Two companie-s of United States troops, 
under the command of Major Henry Burbeck, with Captain 
A.bner Prior and Lieutenants Ebenezer Massay and John 



IQQ ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 

Michael, arrived and took possession of the post of Michili- 
mackinac. 

1802. In the year 1800 the Connecticut Missionary So- 
ciety sent Eev. David Bacon (father of the late Rev. Dr. 
Leonard Bacon, of New Haven, who was born in Detroit in 
1802) as a missionary to our frontier; he arrived at Detroit 
August 11th, ISOO, where he was entertained at the house of 
the commandant. Major Thomas Hunt, U. S. A. 

Mr. Bacon left Detroit, with his family, and came to 
Mackinac in June, 1802, where he remained, teaching and 
preaching until August, 1804, when he was recalled. 

Kev. David Bacon was the first Protestant who preaclied 
at Mackinac. 

1812. June 18th, war with Great Britain was declared by 
the Congress of the United States by a vote of 79 to 40 in 
the House, and 19 to 13 in the Senate. June 19th, war was 
formally proclaimed by President Madison. 



HISTORICAL EVENTS. 167 



SUREENDER OF FORT MIClIILIMACKmAC. 

Detroit, August 4th, 1812. 

Sir — I take the earliest opportunity to acquaint Your Excellency of 
the surrender of the garrison of Michilimackinac, under my command, to- 
his Britannic Majesty's forces under the command of Captain Charles 
Roberts, on the 17th ultimo, the particulars of which are as follows: On 
the 16th, I was informed by the Indian Interpreter that he had discovered 
from an Indian that the several nations of Indians then at St. Joseph (a 
British garrison, distant about forty miles) intended to make an imme- 
diate attack on IMichilimackinac. 

I was inclined, from the coolness I had discovered in some of the prin- 
cipal chiefs of the Ottawa and Chippewa nations, who had but a few days 
before professed the greatest friendship for the United States, to place 
confidence in this report. 

I immediately called a meeting of the American gentlemen at that time 
on the island, in which it was thought proper to dispatch a confidential 
person to St. Joseph to watch the motions of the Indians. 

Captain Michael Dousman, of the militia, was thought the most suitable 
for this service. He embarked about sunset, and met the British forces 
within ten or fifteen miles of the island, by whom he was made prisoner 
and put on his parole of honor. He was landed on the island at day- 
break, with positive directions to give me no intelligence whatever. He 
was also instructed to take the inhabitants of the village, indiscriminately, 
to a place on the west side of the island where their persons and property 
should be protected by a British guard, but should they go to the Fort, 
they would be subject to a general massacre by the savages, which would 
be inevitable if the garrison fired a gun. This information I received 
from Doctor Day, who was passing through the village when every person 
was flying for refuge to the enemy. I immediately, on being informed 
of the approach of the enemy, placed ammunition, etc. , in the Block 
houses; ordered every gun charged, and made every preparation for 
action. About 9 o'clock I could discover that the enemy were in posses- 
sion of the heights that commanded the Fort, and one piece of their artil- 
lery directed to the most defenceless part of the garrison. The Indians 
at this time were to be seen in great numbers in the edge of the woods. 



153 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 

At half- past 11 o'clock the enemy seat in a flag of truce, demanding a sur- 
render of the Fort and island to his Britannic Majesty's forces. This, Sir, 
was the first information I had of the declaration of war; 1, however, had 
anticipated it, and was as well prepared to meet such an event as I pos- 
sibly could have been with the force under my command, amounting 
to 57 effective men, including officers. Three American gentlemen, who 
were prisoners, were permitted to accompany the flag: from them I ascer- 
tained the strength of the enemy to be from nine hundred to one thousand 
strong, consisting of regular troops, Canadians and savages; that they 
had two pieces of artillery, and were provided with ladders and ropes for 
the purpose of scaling the works, if necessary. After I had obtained this 
information, I consulted my officers, and also the American gentlemen 
present, who were very intelligent men; the result of which was, that it 
was impossible for the garrison to hold out against such a superior force. 
In this opinion I fully concurred, from the conviction that it was the only 
measure that could prevent a general massacre. The Fort and garrison 
were accordingly surrendered. 

The enclosed papers exhibit copies of the correspondence between the 
officer commanding the British forces and myself, and of the articles of 
capitulation. Tliis subject involved questions of a peculiar nature; and 
I hope, Sir, that my demands and protests will meet the approbation of 
my government. I cannot allow this opportunity to escape without ex- 
pressing my obligation to Doctor Sylvester Day, for the service he ren- 
dered me in conducting this correspondence. 

In consequence of this unfortunate affair, I beg leave, Sir, to demand 
that a Court of Inquiry may be ordered to investigate all the facts con- 
nected with it; and I do further request, that the court may be specially 
directed to express their opinion on the merits of the case. 

I have the honour to be. Sir, etc., 

PORTER HANKS, 

Lieutenant of Artillery 
His Excellency General Hull, 

Commanding the N. W. Army. 

P. S. — The following particulars relating to the British force were ob 
tained after the capitulation, from a source that admits of no d jubl: 



IlISTOKICAL EVENTS. -^Q^ 

Regular troops 46 including 4 officers. 

Canadian militia 260 



Total. 



Sioux 56 

Winnebagoes 48 

Menomonees 39 

Chippewas and Ottawas 572 

715 Savages. 
306 Whites. 

Total 1021 

It may also be remarked, that one hundred and fifty Chippewas and 
Ottawas joined the British two days after the capitulation. 

P. H. 



IlhllGHTS ABOVE MlCHILIMACKINAC, 17th July, 1812. 

CAPITULATION 

Agreed upon between Captain Charles Roberts, commanding his Britannic 

Majesty's forces, on the one part, and Lieutenant Porter Hanks, 

commanding the troops of the United States of America, 

on the other. 

ARTICLES. 

I. The Fort of Michilimackinac shall immediately be surrendered to 
the British forces. Granted. 

II. The garrison shall march out with the honours of war, lay down 
their arms, and become prisoners of war, and shall be sent to the United 
States of America by his Britannic Majesty, not to serve in this war 
until regularly exchanged; and for the due performance of this article 
the officers pledge their word and honour. Granted. 

III. All the merchant vessels in the harbour, with their cargoes, shall 
be in the possession of their respective ovners. Granted. 

IV. Piivate property shall be held sacred so far as in my power. 
Granted. 



170 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 

V. All citizens of the United States of America who shall not take the 
oath of allegiance to his Britannic Majesty, shall depart with their prop- 
erty from this island in one month from the date hereof. Granted. 

(Signed) CHARLES ROBERTS. 

Captain Commanding H. B. Majesty's Forces. 

PORTER HANKS, 

Lieutenant Commanding the Forces of the 

United States at Fort Michilimackinac. 



Notes. — Dr. Sylvester Day, U. S. A., was the Surgeon at the 
Fort. He and his family resided at the time on Astor street, in 
a house belonging to Samuel Abbott, which stood on the site of 
the house built in 1886 by Patrick Donnelly. Michael Dousman 
went to the house and told the inmates of the presence of the 
British on the island. Dr. Day immediately arose, and taking 
his family (one of whom, his son, is now Gen. Hannibal Day, 
U. S. A.), went to the Fort and warned the garrison of the 
approach of the foe. 

On July 15th, Captain Charles Roberts, of the Tenth Royal 
Veteran Battalion, in command of a detachment of his regiment 
at St. Joseph's Island, St. Mary's River, received letters by express 
from Gen. Brock, informing him that war had been declared, and 
ordering him to " adopt the most punctual measures." 

Leaving an officer and six privates to take care of the build- 
ings, Captain Roberts, at ten o'clock on the morning of the 16th, 
embarked his "few men with about one hundred and eighty 
Canadian engagees half of them without arms, about three hun- 
dred Indians and two iron six-pounders," in ten batteaux, seventy 
canoes, and on the N. W. Co's ship " Caledonia." 

The boat arrived at the place since then known as ** British 
Landing," at three o'clock on the morning of the 17th, and 
through the exertions of the Canadians, one of the guns was 
taken to a height commanding the Fort. 

The American troops numbered sixty-three persons, including 
five sick men and one drummer boy. 

There were nine vessels in the harbor, having on board forty- 
seven men. After the capitulation two other vessels arrived, 
with seven hundred packs of furs. 

The prisoners were sent to Detroit, arriving there August 4th, 
thence to Fort Fayette, where Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, now 



HISTORICAL EVENTS. 171 

stands, where a roll shows them to have been mustered on 
the 17th day of November, 1812. 

Lieutenant Hanks was killed August 16, while still on 
parole, by a shot fired from the Canadian side, while he was 
standing in the vestibule of the quarters occupied by Captain 
Samuel T. Dyson and Lieutenant William Whistler, in the 
fort at Detroit. 

The citizens sought refuge in an old distillery, which was 
situated under the bluff near the old Indian burying ground, 
west of the village. The British sent a guard there immedi- 
ately after landing. 

The three American gentlemen (prisoners) referred to by 
Lieutenant Hanks, went from the distillery to Captain Rob- 
erts' command. They were Samuel Abbott, John Dousman 
and Ambrose R. Davenport, all prominent citizens of the 
village, and well calculated to comprehend the true state of 
affairs. 

Fort Holmes was built while the British held possession of 
the island, in 1812 and 1814. The inhabitants of the village 
were all forced to contribute labor. 

It was called by the British Fort George, in honor of the 
British king ; afterward rechristened by the Americans in 
honor of Major Andrew Hunter Holmes, who was killed 
August 4, 1814. 

The old ditches can be plainly seen ; the parapet was pro- 
tected by cedar pickets, so planted as to render scaling im- 
possible without a ladder. The covered ways, constructed 
to shelter the troops, have fallen in. In the centre of the 
enclosure there was a building used as a block-house and 
powder magazine. It was removed by the Americans, and 
is now used as the government stable. 

The platform that now crowns the summit, and com- 
mands a magnificent view of the Straits and the surround- 
ing country, was built in 1886. As you stand on this 
platform, three hundred and thirty-six feet above the 



172 



ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 



level of the surrounding water, "facing toward the flag-staff 
in the Fort, on your right is Point St. Ignace, four miles 
distant, the southern extremity of the northern peninsula of 
Michigan ; nearly in front of you lies Mackinaw City ; eight 
miles distant, on the northern point of the southern penin- 




Block House, Built in 1780. 



sula, a little to the right, is where old Fort Michilimackinac 
stood, where the massacre of June 2d, 1763, took place ; a 
little farther to the left Cheboygan, eighteen miles distant, 
and off to the left, where the northern shore and the water 
seem to mingle and disappear together, is the mouth of the 
St. Mary's Kiver, thirty-seven miles distant. 



HISTORICAL EVENTS. 1^3 



NAVAL BATTLE ON LAKE ERIE. 

1813. September lOtli, the hostile fleets of Great Britaio 
and the United States, on Lake Erie, met near the head of 
the Lake, and a sanguinary battle ensued. The British fleet 
consisted of six vessels, carrying sixty-four guns, under com- 
mand of the veteran Commodore Barclay, and the fleet of 
the United States consisted of nine vessels, carrying fifty- 
four guns, under command of the young and brave Commo- 
dore Oliver II. Perry. The result of this important conflict 
was made known to the world in the following laconic dis- 
patch, written at 4 p. m. of that day : • 

" Dbar General: — We have met the enemy, and they are ours. Two 
ships, two brigs, one schooner, and one sloop. 

** With esteem, etc., 

"O. H. PEKftY. 
"General William II. Harrison.*' 



174 



ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 




Block House, Built in 1780-81. 



ANNALS OF FOKT MACKINAC. 175 



BATTLE OF MICHILIMACKINAO. 

REPORT OF COL. GEORGE CROGHAN. 

U. S. S. War Niagara, off Thunder bat, ) 
August 9th, 1814. J 

8m— We left Fort Gratiot (head of the straits St. Clair) on the 12th 
ult. and imagined that we should arrive in a few days at Malshadash Bay. 
At the end of a week, however, the commodore from the want of pilots ac- 
quainted with that unfrequented part of the lake, despaired of being able to 
find a passage through the island into the bay, and made for St. Joseph's, 
where he anchored on 20th day of July. After setting fire to the Fort of St. 
Joseph's, which seemed not to have been recently occupied, a detachment 
of infantry and artillery, under Major Holmes, was ordered to Sault St. 
Mary's, for the purpose of breaking up the enemy's establishment at that 
place. 

For particulars relative to the execution of this order, I beg leave to 
refer you to Major Holmes' report herewith enclosed. Finding on my 
arrival at Michilimackinac, on the 26th ult, that the enemy had strongly 
fortified the height overlooking the old Fort of Mackinac, I at once de- 
spaired of being able with my small force, to carry the place by storm, 
and determined (as the only course remaining) on landing and establish- 
ing myself on some favorable position, whence I could be enabled to 
annoy the enemy by gradual and slow approaches, under cover of my 
artillery, in which I should have the superiority in point of metal. I was 
urged to adopt this step by another reason, not a little cogent ; could a 
position be taken and fortified on the island, I was well aware thai it 
would either induce the enemy to attack me in my strongholds, or force 
his Indians and Canadians (the most efficient, and only disposable foice) 
off the island, as they would be very unwilling to remain in my neigh\/or- 
hood after a permanent footing had been taken. On enquiry, I leanaed 
from individuals who had lived many years on the island, that a position 
desirable as I might wish, could be found on the west end, and thertjfore 
immediately made arrangements for disembarking. A landing wag 
effected on the 4th inst., under cover of the guns of the shipping, and 
the line being quickly formed, had advanced to the edge of the field 
spoken of for a camp., when intelligence was conveyed to me, that the 



176 ANNAL8 OF FORT MACKINAC. 

enemy was ahead, and a few seconds more brought us a fire from his 
battery of four pieces, firing shot and shells. After reconnoitering his 
position, which was well selected, his line reached along the edge of the 
woods, at the further extremity of the field and covered by a temporary 
breast work ; I determined on changing my position (which was now two 
lines, the militia forming the front), by advancing Major Holmes' battal- 
ion of regulars on the right of the militia, thus to outflank him, and by a 
vigorous effort to gain his rear. The movement was immediately ordered, 
but before it could be executed, a fire was opened by some Indians posted 
in a thick wood near our right, which proved fatal to Major Holmes and 
severely wounded Captain Desha (the next officer in rank). This unlucky 
fire, by depriving us of the services of our most valuable officers, threw 
that part of the line into confusion from which the best exertions of the 
officers were not able to recover it. Finding it impossible to gain the 
enemy's left, owing to the impenetrable thickness of the woods, a charge 
was ordered to be made by the regulars immediately against the front. 
This charge although made in some confusion, served to drive the enemy 
back into the woods, from whence an annoying fire was kept up by the 
Indians. 

Lieut. Morgan was ordered up with a light piece to assist the left, now 
particularly galled ; the excellent practice of this brought the enemy to 
fire at a longer distance. Discovering that this disposition from whence 
the enemy had just been driven (and which had 'jeen represented to me 
as so high and commanding), was by no means tenable, from being inter- 
spersefl with thickets, and intersected in every way by ravines, I deter- 
mined MO longer to expose my force to the fire of an enemy deriving 
every advantage which could be obtained from numbers and a knowledge 
of th« poaitiou, and therefore ordered an immediate retreat towards the 
shipping. This affair, which cost us many valuable lives, leaves us to 
lament the fall of that gallant officer. Major Holmes, whose character is 
80 well known to the war department. Captain Van Home, of the 19th 
Infantry *nd Lieut. Jackson of the 24th Infantry, both brave intrepid 
young men fell mortally wounded at the head of their respective com- 
mands. 

The conduct of all my officers on this occasion merits my approbation. 
Captain Desha, of the 24th Infantry, although wounded, continued 
with his command until forced to retire from faintness through loss of 
blood. Captains Saunders, Hawkins and Sturges, with every subalter© 



HISTORICAL EVENTS. 177 

of that battalion, acted in the most exemplary manner. Ensign Bryan, 
2nd Kifle Regiment, acting Adjutant to the battalion, actively forwarded 
the wishes of the commanding oflBcer. Lieuts. Hickman, 28th Infantry, 
and Hyde of the U. S. Marines, who commanded the reserve, claim my 
particular thanks for their activity in keeping that command in readiness 
to meet any exigency. I have before mentioned Lieut. Morgan's activity; 
his two assistants, Lieut. Pickett and Mr. Peters, conductor of artillery, 
also merit the name of good officers. 

The militia were wanting in no part of their duty. Colonel Cotgreave, 
his officers and soldiers, deserve the warmest approbation, My acting 
assistant Adjutant General Captain N. H. Moore, 28th Infantry, with 
volunteer Adjutant McComb, were prompt in delivering my orders. 

Captain Gratiot of the engineers, who voluntered his services as Adju- 
tant on the occasion, gave me valuable assistance. On the morning of the 
5th, I sent a flag to the enemy, to enquire into the state of the wounded 
(two in number), who were left on the field, and to request permission to 
bring away the body of Major Holmes, which was also left, owing to the 
unpardonable neglect of the soldiers in whose hands it was placed. I 
am happy in assuring you, that the body of Major Holmes is secured, 
and will be buried at Detroit with becoming honors. I shall discharge 
the militia to-morrow, and will send them down, together with two regu- 
lar companies to Detroit. 

With the remaining thJ^ee companies I shall attempt to destroy the 
enemy's establishment in the head of Naw-taw-wa-sa-ga River, and if it 
be thought proper, erect a post at the mouth of that river. 

Very respectfully, I have the honor to remain, sir, your obedient 
(ierrant. 

G. CROGHAN, 

Lieut.- Col. 2nd Riflemen. 
To Hon. J. Armstrong, 

Secretary of War. 



178 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 



REPORT OF KILLED, WOUNDED AND MISSING, ON 
AUGUST 4th, 1814. 

On board the U. S. Sloop op War Niagara, ) 
nth August, 1814. i 

Artillery — wounded, three privates. 

Infantry — 17th Regiment ; killed, five privates; wounded, two sergeants, 
two corporals, fifteen privates. Two privates since dead. Two privates 
missing. 

19th Regiment — wounded, one captain, nine privates. Captain Isaac 
Van Home, Jr., since dead— one private since dead. 

24th Regiment — killed, five privates; wounded, one captain, one lieu- 
tenant, three sergeants, one corporal, one musician, five privates. Cap- 
tain Robert Desha severely; Lieut. Hezekiah Jackson since dead— one 
sergeant since dead. 

32nd Regiment — killed, one major. Major Andrew Kunter Holmes. 

United States Marines— wounded, one sergeant. 

Ohio Militia— killed, two privates; wounded, six privates— one private 
fiince dead of his wounds. 

Grand total— one major and twelve privates killed; two captains, one 
lieutenant, six sergeants, three corporals, one musician and thirty-eight 
privates wounded. Two privates missing. 

The above return exhibits a true statement of the killed wounded and 
missing in the afifair of the 4th instant. 

N. H. MOORE, 

Captain 28th Infantry, 
Acting Assistant Adjutant- General, 



180 AITNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 



REPOET OF CAPTAIN SmCLATR. 

United States Sloop of War Niagara, j 
Off Thunder Bay, August 9th, 1814. | 

Sir— I arrived off Michilimackinac on the 26th July; but.owing to a 
tedious spell of bad weather, which prevented our reconnoitering, or 
being able to procure a prisoner who could give us information of the 
enemy's Indian force, which, from several little skirmishes we had on an 
adjacent island, appeared to be very great, we did not attempt a landing 
until the 4th inst. , and it was then made more with a view to ascertain 
positively the enemy's strength, than with any possible hope of success; 
knowing, at the same time, that I could effectually cover their landing 
and retreat to the ships, from the position I had taken within 300 yards 
of the beach. Col. Croghan would never have landed, even with this 
protection, being positive, as he was, that the Indian force alone on the 
island, with the advantages they had, were superior to him, could he 
have justified himself to his government, without having stronger proof 
than appearances, that he could not effect the object in view. Mackinac 
is, by nature, a perfect Gibraltar, being a high inaccessible rock on every 
Bide, except the west, from which to the bights, you have near two miles 
to pass through a wood, so thick that our men were shot in every direc- 
tion, and within a few yards of them, without being able to see the 
Indians who did it; and a height was scarcely gained before there was 
another within 50 or 100 yards commanding it, where breastworks were 
erected and cannon opened on them. Several of those were charged and 
the enemy driven from them; but it was soon found the further our 
troops advanced the stronger the enemy became, and the w<«aker and 
more bewildered our forces were; several of the commanding officers 
were picked out and killed or wounded by the savages, without seeing 
any of them. The men were getting lost and falling into confusion, 
natural under such circumstances, which demanded an immediate retreat, 
or a total defeat and general massacre must have ensued. This was con- 
ducted in a masterly manner by Col. Croghan, who had lost the aid of 
that valuable and ever to be lamented officer. Major Holmes, who, with 
Captain VanHorn, was killed by the Indians. 

The enemy were driven from many of their strongholds; but such was 



HISTOKICAL EVENTS. 181 

the impenetrable thickness of the woods, that no advantage gained could 
be profited by. Our attack would have been made immediately under 
the lower fort, that the enemy might not have been able to use his Indian 
force to such advantage as in the woods, having discovered by drawing a 
fire from him in several instances, that I had greatly the superiority of 
metal of him; but its site being about 120 feet above the water, I could 
not, when near enough to do him an injury, elevate sufficiently to batter 
it. Above this, nearly as high again, he has another strong fort, com- 
manding every point on the island, and almost perpendicular on all sides. 
Col. Croghan not deeming it prudent to make a second attempt upon this 
place, and having ascertained to a certainty that the only naval force the 
enemy have upon the lakes consists of one schooner of four guns, I have 
determined to despatch the " Lawrence " and " Caledonia " to Lake Erie 
immediately, believing their services in transporting our armies there will 
be wanting; and it being important that the sick and wounded, amount- 
ing to about 100, and that part of the detachment not necessary to further 
our future operations here, should reach Detroit without delay. By an 
intelligent prisoner, captured in the "Mink," I ascertained this, and that 
the mechanics and others sent across from York during the winter were 
for the purpose of building a flotilla to transport reinforcements and sup- 
plies to Mackinac. An attempt was made to transport them by the way of 
Matchadash, but it was found impracticable, from all the portages being 
a morass; that they then resorted to a small river called Nautawasaga, 
situated to the south of Matchadash, from which there is a portage of three 
leagues over a good road to Lake Simcoe. This place was never known 
until pointed out to them last summer by an Indian. This river is very 
narrow, and has six or eight feet water in it about three miles up, and is 
then a muddy, rapid shallow for 45 miles up to the portage, where their 
armada was built, and their storehouses are now situated. The naviga- 
tion is dangerous and difficult, and so obscured by rocks and bushes that 
no stranger could ever find it. I have, however, availed myself of the 
means of discovering it; I shall also blockade the mouth of French River 
until the fall; and those being the only two channels of communication 
by which Mackinac can possibly be supplied, and their provisions at this 
time being extremely short, I think they will be starved into a surrender. 
This will also cut off all supplies to the Northwest Company, who are now 
nearly starving, and their furs on hand can only find transportation by 
the way of Hudson Bay. At this place I calculate on falling in witb 



182 ANNALS OF FOST MACKINAC. 

their schooner, which, it is said, has gone there for a load of provisions, 
and a message sent to her not to venture up while we are on the Lake. 
Very respectfully, I have the honor to remain, Sir, 
Your obedient servant, 

ARTHUR SINCLAIR 
To Hon. Wm. Jones, 

Secretary of the Navy. 

Notes. — Col. Croghan landed with his troops at what is 
now called ' British Landing,' so named from the fact that 
the British landed there on the night of the 16th and 17th 
of July, 1812, when they successfully surprised Fort Mack- 
inac. 

On entering the gate on the road leading to British Land- 
ing, after passing through the narrow belt of timber, you 
come to a slight ridge which crosses the road, passing diagon- 
ally through an orchard, on the left. 

On the south side of this ridge the British troops were 
concealed, having four field pieces ; the line was protected by 
a hastily constructed ahattis, and the left by an entrenchment, 
the remains of which can be seen in the orcnard some 250 
yards to the left of, and nearly parallel to, the road. 

The British forces were under the command of Lieut.-CoL 
Eobert McDouall, Glengarry Light Infantry Fencibles, then 
in command at Fort Mackinac. 

Major Holmes' body was put on board a schooner and sent 
to Detroit, where it was buried in the old cemetery on the 
corner of Larned street and Woodward avenue, on land 
belonging to ^' The First Protestant Society." In 1834 when 
excavating for the building of " The First Protestant Church " 
the remains of Major Holmes were found with six cannon 
balls in the coflSn. The balls were placed in the cofiin for 
the purpose of sinking the body if in danger of being cap- 
tured by the British while on its way to Detroit. The 
remains were placed in a box and buried in the Protestant 
cemetery near Gratiot, Beaubien and Antoine streets. ' 



HISTORICAL EVENTS. 183 

1815. By the treaty of peace and amity between Great 
Britain and the United States, concluded at Ghent, Belgium^ 
December 24t]i, 1814, and signed by Lord Gambier, Henry 
Gonlbourn and William Adams, on the part of Great 
Britain, and by John Qnincy Adams, James A. Bayard, 
Henry Clay, Jonathan Russell and Albert Gallatin, on the 
part of the United States (ratifications exchanged February 
17th, and proclaimed February 18th, 1815), the post of 
Michilimackinac was again restored to the United States. 

On March 28th, Lieut.-General Sir Gordon Drummond 
sent a despatch from York (now Toronto), Canada, to Lieut.- 
Colonel Kobert McDouall, of the Glengarry Light Infantry 
Fencibles, commanding Fort Mackinac and Dependencies, 
announcing the restoration of peace between Great Britain 
and the United States. This despatch reached Mackinac 
May let, and of it Col. McDouall in a letter of May 5th, to 
Colonel Anthony Butler, 2d Eifles, commanding " Michigan 
Territory and District of Upper Canada," said, " this was the 
first oflScial communication I had received from my Govern- 
ment, announcing the termination of hostilities and the res- 
toration of the blessings of peace." 

Upon the receipt of the above despatch, Col. McDouall 
sent a detachment of troops to Drummond's Island to pre- 
pare for the removal thither, of the Mackinac Garrison. 

The efforts made at all times by Col. McDouall to protect 
American citizens and their property from the Indians, 
deserve mention. 

On the same day and by the same conveyance that brought 
General Drummond's despatch, Col. McDouall received a 
letter from Col. Butler, dated Detroit, April 16th, in refer- 
ence to the reoccupation of Fort Mackinac by U. S. troops. 
Col. McDoualPs reply, dated May 5th, was conveyed to Col. 
Butler by Lieut. Worley, of the Royal Navy. 

The details connected with the restoration of Fort Macki- 



18 i ANNALS OF FOKT MAOKINAO. 

nac to the United States, and of Fort Maiden, Amherstburg 
and Isle aux Bois Blanc to Great Britain, were arranged 
between Col. Anthony Butler, on the part of the United 
States, and Lieut. Colonel W. W. James, of the British 
Infantry, on the part of Great Britain. 

The United States troops were withdrawn from Fort Mai- 
den, Amherstburg and Isle aux Bois Blanc, at noon on the 
first day of July. 

British troops. Col. McDouall in command, occupied Fort 
Mackinac until noon July 18th, when they were relieved by 
United States troops, consisting of two companies of Rifle- 
men (Captains Willoughby Morgan and Joseph Kean), and 
half a company (Captain Benjamin K. Pierce's), of artillery, 
under command of Colonel Anthony Butler. 

These troops with supplies for six months, left Detroit 
July 3d, in four vessels (commanded by Lieut. Samuel 
Woodhouse, U. S. N)., viz.: the U. S. sloop of war Niagara, 
the U. S. schooner Porcupine, and two private vessels char- 
tered for the trip. William Gamble, Collector of Customs 
for Mackinac, accompanied the troops. 

The British withdrew to Drummond's Island in the St. 
Mary's River, where they established a post. 

Colonel Butler immediately returned to Detroit, leaving 
Captain Willoughby Morgan in command at Fort Mackinac. 

Captain Morgan changed the name of Fort George to Fort 
Holmes, and for a short time garrisoned it with a small 
detachment. He also appointed Michael Dousman, a resi- 
dent citizen, Military Agent for Mackinac. 

Major Talbot Chambers, of the Riflemen, arrived at Fort 
Mackinac, August 31st, and took command, relieving Cap- 
tain Morgan, who was ordered to Detroit. 

1816. Two companies of Rifles left Fort Mackinac, 
under the command of Colonel John Miller, and established 
Fort Howard, at Green Bay, Wis. 



mSTORIOAL EVENTS. 1 85 

1819. First steamboat at Makinac, the " Walk-in-the- 
Water." 

1821. June 21st. In the west end of the basement of 
the cottage on the corner of Astor and Fort Streets (then 
used as the retail store of the American Fur Co.), occurred 
an accident the result of which is known to the medical 
fraternity throughout the world. We refer to the acci- 
dental shooting, in the left side, of Alexis St. Martin, a 
Canadian, eighteen years of age, in the employ of the 
American Fur Company. 

St. Martin was not more than a yard from the muzzle of 
the gun, which was loaded with powder and duck-shot. To 
be brief, a hole was made into the stomach, which healed 
but never closed. Through this aperture, the action of the 
stomach, on various kinds of food, was observed. These 
experiments, extending through a series of years, gave 
much valuable information. Dr. Wm. Beaumont, at that 
time the Post-Surgeon, attended the wounded man and 
afterward made the experiments. 

1823. Kev. William Montague Ferry, by direction of the 
United Foreign Missionary Society, established a mission 
for the Indians of the Northwest at Mackinac Island, this 
location being chosen because it was the center of the fur 
trade in the Northwest. 

Mr. Ferry arrived at Mackinac October 19th, and opened 
school November 3d, with twelve Indian children. At one 
time there were twenty-four assistants, and one hundred and 
eighty scholars. The children from the village attended as 
day scholars, and those from the several tribes as boarders. 

They were trained in habits of industry, and taught trades, 
and how to cultivate the soil, besides receiving a common 
school education. The school was first held in the old Court 
House. In 1825, the building now known as the '' Mission 
Hou6e,*^ was erected for missionary and school purposes. 



186 ANNALS OF FOET MACKINAC. 

Thomas White Ferry, ex U. S. Senator, was bom in the 
Mission House, June 1, 1827. 

The building known as the " Mission Church," was erected 
in 1830. It was consecrated March 4th, 1831. 

Mr. Ferry was relieved August 6th, 1834. He then settled 
at Grand Haven, Mich., where he lived for thirty-three 
years, highly esteemed and eminently useful. He died De- 
cember 30th, 1867. In 1837 the Mission was discontinued. 

1839, October 14th. Fort Mackinac evacuated. 

1840, May 18th. Fort Mackinac reoccupied by Co. H, 
4th Artillery. 

1856, October 12th. Fort Mackinac evacuated. 

1857, May 25th. Fort Mackinac reoccupied by Co. E, 2nd 
Artillery. 

August 2d. Fort Mackinac evacuated. 

1858, June 6th. Fort Mackinac reoccupied by Co. G, 
2nd Artillery. 

1861, April 28. Fort Mackinac evacuated. 

1862. May 10th, the steamer "Illinois'* arrived at 
Mackinac from Detroit, having on board Co. A, Stanton 
Guards, Michigan Volunteers, Capt. Grover S. Wormer, of 
Detroit, commanding (afterwards, Lieut.-Col. and Col. 8th 
Michigan Cavalry, and Brevet Brigadier-General United 
States Yolunteers,) with First Lieutenant Elias F. Sutton, 
Second Lieutenant Louis Hartmeyer, Chaplain James Knox, 
and Dr. John Gregg, having in charge the following dis- 
tinguished gentlemen from Tennessee, who were State prison- 
ers of war : Gen. William G. Harding, Gen. Washington Bar- 
rows, and Judge Joseph C. Guild. 

For six days after their arrival, the prisoners were allowed 
to remain at the Mission Hotel, under a guard, while quar- 
ters were being prepared in the Fort. The three sets of 
officers' quarters in the wooden building between the stone 
quarters and the guard house, were assigned to them. 

Gen. Harding occupied the set in the west end, or nearest 
the stone quarters, Gen. Barrows, the middle set, and Judge 
Guild, the set in the east end. Tlie rooms were comfort- 
ably furnished by the prisoners, who remained here until 
September 10th, 1862, when the Fort was again evacuated, 



HISTORICAL EVENTS. 187 

the prisoners taken to Detroit, and thence to Johnson's 
Island, Lake Erie. 

1866. August 3d. Fort Mackinac re-occupied by the 4th 
Independent Company, of the Veteran Reserve Corps. 

August 26th. Fort Mackinac evacuated. 

1807. August 22d. Fort Mackinac re-occupied by Co. B, 
43d United States Infantry. 

1877. Fath^ Marquette's grave discovered at St. Ignace, 
by Very Eeverend Edward Jacker. 

1879. Saturday, May 31. Co. C, 10th U. S. Infantry, 
(Lieuts. Kelton and Phimmer) arrived at Fort Mackinac 
from Fort McKavett, Texas. 

1882. Tlie Protestant Episcopal Church on Fort Street, 
built through the efforts and nnder the direction of Rev. 
Moses C. Stanley. 

On the 18th day of September the County seat was trans- 
ferred from Mackinac Island to St. Ignace. 

The first building erected on " Hubbard's Annex." 

1883. A cable was laid by the Western Union Telegraph 
Co. to Mackinac Island from St. Ignace. (The latter place 
is connected by cable with Mackinaw City.) The line was 
opened July 13th. 

1885. Three cottages, the first erected on building lots 
in the Mackinac National Park, were built by Mrs. Phoebe 
B. Gehr, Mrs. Charlotte R. Warren, of Chicago, and Col. 
John Atkinson, of Detroit. 

Thej^T*^^ lease of a building lot in the Park was to Mrs. 
Gehr, the lease bearing date of April 1st, 1885. 

1887. The ''Grand Hotel" built. It was first opened to 
the public on the 15th day of July. 

That eminent philologist and world-renowned student of 
the Indian languages, the Very Reverend Edward Jacker, 



18S ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 

died at Marquette, Mich., on the first day of September. He 
was born at Ellwangen, in Wiirtemberg, Germany, on 
September 2, 1827. 

1888. April 10th. First arrival in Mackinac waters of 
the new transfer steamer " St. Ignace." 



ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC, 



189 



Summer Residences 



The following persons have cottages on Mackinac Island 



D. B. Stewart, 
Charley H. Bradley, 
William A. Amberg, 
Charles L. Ames, 
John H. Batten, 
Dr. Truman W. Brophy, 
Edward O. Brown, 
George W. Cass, 
Robert Clark, 
John Cudahy, 
Michael Cudahy, 
Mrs. Phebe B. Gehr, 
Alexander D. Hannah, 
Franklin S. Hanson, (3) 
Noah P. Harrison, 
David Hogg, 
Mrs. Gurdon S. Hubbard, 
Dr. L. D. McArthur, 
Walter C. Newberry, 
Edward H, Pitkin, 
Gen. George W. Smith, 
Mrs. James Walsh, 
Major Daniel W. Whittle, 
Hon. Hugh McCurdy, 
Miss Annie E. Morrison, 
Charles C. Bowen, 
Cornelius Corbett, 
Rt. Rev. Thos. F. Davies, 
Col. Henry M. Duffield, 
William H. Dunning, 



Anchor, 111. 

Bay City, Mich. 

Chicago, 111. 



(3) 



Corunna, Mich. 

Delaware, Ohio. 

Detroit, Mich. 



100 



ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 



Mrs. Jacob S. Farrand, 

Edward A. Gott, 

Hon. S. B. Grummond, (3) 

Ransom Hawley, 

H. L. Jenness, 

Mrs. Jane Owen, 

Mrs. Alanson Sheley, ' 

Gilbert E. Bursley, 

Henry R. Freeman, 

Montgomery Hamilton, 

Robert S. Taylor, 

Delos A. Blodgett, 

William F. Bulkley, 

Col. E. Crofton Fox, 

William D. Gilbert, 

William O. Hugliart, 

Lyman D. Norris, 

Thomas J . Brien, 

William J. Stuart, . 

Edwin F. Sweet, 

T. Stewart White, 

Charles W. Caskey, 

Elstner Fisher. 

Mrs. Amanda Belden, 

Frank M. Clark, (2) 

M. H. Lane, 

Frank B. Lay, 

William H. McCourtie, 

Theodore P. Sheldon, 

Mrs. H. G. Wells, 

Ezra P. Barnard, 

Charles E. Anthony, (2) 

Major Clifford M. Anthony, 

Rev. Meade C. Williams, 

Hon. John Ed get, 

Major George C. Harrington, 

T.F. Spangler, 



Detroit, Mich, 



Fort Wayne, Ind. 



Grand Rapids, Mich. 



Harbor Springs, Mich. 

Jackson, Mich, 

Kalamazoo, Mich. 



Menominee, Mich. 

Peoria, HI. 
(( (< 

Princeton, HI. 

Saginaw, Mich. 

Watseka, 111. 

Zanesville, Ohio. 



Lachance & Son, 

Grand Hotel Livery Stables 

MACKINAC ISLAND. 



Our Outfits [ead tt^e proeessioi?, Botl? 09 
[ai)d apd U/ater 

WE HAVE THE VEHICLE YOU WANT." 

Jaunting Cars from Ireland, 

Gondolas from Venice, 

Camels from Egypt, 

Elephants from Asia, 
Sedan Chairs, 

Rolling Chairs, 

Street Cars, 

Balloons, 
Etc., Etc., Etc. 



SPECIAL FACILITIES FOR BOARDINQ HORSES AND CARRIAGES. 

From High Noon July 1st, till High Midnight Sept. 30th. 

PLEASE CALL DURING OFFICE HOURS. 



TOURISTS! 

-^^V^OID THE) HK^.1' ^VJVI> I>U^T 

BY TRAVELING ON THE FLOATING PALACES OF 

5t?e Detroit a^d Qeuelapd 
Steam flau. Qo. 

Two New Steamers, costing $300,000.00 each, have just been built for the 

Mackinac Division. 

4-TRIPS PER WEEK-4 

BETWEEN 

MACKINAC, ALPENA, 

DETROIT, TOLEDO, 

AND CLEVELAND 



Leave MACKINAC Monday and Wednesday 8.30 a. m. 

THURSDAY AND Saturday 7.30 p.m. 



For All Points East and South, Save Money by Traveling Via 
The Lake Route. 

IH^ For Pamphlets, Time Cards and other information apply to 

GEO. T. ARNOLD, AGENT. OR A. A. SCHANTZ, gen. pass, agent. 

MACKINAC, MICH. DETROIT. MICH. 




vrylrrlp^ 5l?e Detroit ^Y)d geuela^d Steam |Vau. C;o. 



m 



E. P. FOL£y 



R. P. FOLEY 



Foley Brothers, 

mackinac island, mich. 
Indian Goods, Bark Workand Relics 



Our Line of LAKE SUPERIOR AGATE JEWELRY 
and SPECIMENS is Unsurpassed. 



STEAM 
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FOLEY'S ART GALLERY 



HEADQUARTERS FOR 



Photographic Views. 



•tJsts will go with Parties to any Point on or off Mackin: 

Island, to make Special Views, for a 

reasonable compensation. 



